Australian Open FARCE as fan who wore Russia’s ‘Z’ war symbol during Novak Djokovic’s match returns
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Australian Open security FARCE as the fan who wore Russia’s ultranationalist ‘Z’ war symbol during Novak Djokovic’s quarterfinal can RETURN to court two days later for his semifinal.
The tennis fan who brandished Russia’s ultranationalist ‘Z’ war symbol at the Australian Open on Wednesday has returned to Rod Laver Arena in a major security charade for tournament organizers.
There was quite a stir earlier this week when a male bystander was photographed wearing a black t-shirt with the white letter ‘Z’ emblazoned on the front.
The letter ‘Z’ has become a symbol of ultranationalist reverence for Russian President Vladimir Putin as he wages his war against Ukraine. It has been seen sprayed in white on the side of Russian tanks when they invaded their neighboring country.
Tennis Australia condemned scenes witnessed during Novak Djokovic’s quarter-final clash with Andrey Rublev, in which a small group of fans waved flags imprinted with Vladimir Putin’s face at Melbourne Park, but the same fan was seen at Rod Laver Arena for the semi-final against Tommy Paul.
He was seen wearing the same white ‘Djokovic, Jordan, Messi’ jersey that he had worn over the black ‘Z’ jersey on Wednesday night.
New questions will be put to tournament organizers about how such a security breach could occur, in a week in which the event has been dominated by off-court geopolitical issues.
Djokovic’s father was filmed posing with supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin outside Melbourne Park on Wednesday night.
More to follow.
The Australian Open has been hit with a security farce after the male spectator wearing an ultra-nationalist Russian jersey on Wednesday returned to Rod Laver Arena.