Novak Djokovic sends warning to rowdy Australian Open fans as his dad could be banned from final

Novak Djokovic is pleading with fans to be respectful and not overdo it during his Australian Open final with Greek cult hero Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The nine-time champion wants no more “unpleasant” experiences at Melbourne Park after his father was forced out of the venue for Djokovic’s semi-final win over Tommy Paul on Friday night.

Djokovic feels his father was ‘roughed up’ by pro-Russian fans he posed for photos with at Melbourne Park and admits the escalation of the saga has taken its toll during his bid for a tenth Open crown.

His concerns about fans sledding him were no doubt heightened when his father Srdjan (circled) was filmed with a man wearing a ‘Z’ T-shirt denoting his support for Vladimir Putin and behind a flag with the face of the Russian president (pictured)

Srdjan Djokovic issued a statement saying his family only wanted peace after living through the war in Serbia after a video of him with Vladimir Putin fans surfaced on Wednesday night.

Tournament organizers will make a belated decision on whether to allow the grand slam icon’s father to attend Sunday night’s men’s final in light of the incident.

Djokovic hopes the fans will behave when he plays Tstisipas at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday in search of a record-equalling 22nd men’s Grand Slam singles crown.

‘Historically, the Serbs and the Greeks get along very well. I just don’t think there is any conflict on and off the court in terms of the crowd,” Djokovic said.

I’m sure people will respectfully support their respective players, and let’s see what happens.

I hope that all the people who are going to reach the final are there for tennis and sport because that is what we all want.

The Serbian superstar got so tired of being heckled by “drunken” fans early in the tournament that he demanded they be thrown out, which they were

Srdjan Djokovic (pictured left with the star’s mother Dijana) could be banned from attending his son’s bowing in a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam in the men’s final on Sunday night.

“We all want the players, the fans, to focus on tennis, to celebrate this beautiful sport, to marvel at one of the most special matches of the year, which is a Grand Slam final.”

Djokovic’s 10th AO final appearance comes a year after he was sensationally deported from Australia for failing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

But the 35-year-old maintains that he has no ill will against the country.

‘Honestly, I’m over it. Once I got to Australia, my intentions were always very positive to come back,” Djokovic said.

“Of course, the feelings of returning to Australia this year were different than any other year due to the events of last year.

“I have said many times that I don’t hold grudges, that I love playing in Australia, I love being here.

‘That kind of emotion I feel helped me feel comfortable and play well. I won Adelaide, now I’m in the final of the Australian Open.

‘I haven’t lost a game in the last five weeks in Australia.

“I’m very happy to be here and play so well.”

If Djokovic beats Stefanos Tsitipas (pictured), he will once again become world number 1.

The final is shaping up to be a winner-take-all affair, with the champion not only capturing the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, but also usurping the injured Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz as world number 1 on Monday.

“Grand Slams and being No. 1 in the world, those two are probably pinnacles of professional tennis,” Djokovic said.

‘Of course, I am very satisfied and happy to be in another Grand Slam final.

“This is exactly what I envisioned and hoped would happen when I came to Australia, with the intention of being in a position to challenge for another Australian Open trophy.”