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Victoria Azarenka gave a thorny response to the question about the proliferation of pro-Russian flags at the Australian Open after Novak Djokovic’s father was filmed posing with a Putin flag.
The tennis tournament has been plagued by controversy in the last 24 hours with several fans supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine during Djokovic’s win over Russian star Andrey Rublev.
A spectator was seen wearing a ‘Z’ shirt, symbolizing ultranationalist support for Vladimir Putin, as fans chanted pro-Russian songs outside the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.
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Victoria Azarenka engaged in an icy exchange with a tennis reporter at the Australian Open
And footage uploaded to YouTube on Thursday showed Djokovic’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, standing next to a man holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face attached to it. The man was also wearing a pro-war ‘Z’ symbol.
The Russian and Belarusian flags have been banned from the grand slam, raising concerns about security at the tournament.
But Belarusian star Azarenka, who has won the competition twice, lashed out at questions about the display of Russian flags at Melbourne Park in a frosty exchange with an Australian reporter.
what There has been a lot of scrutiny on many of the Russian and Belarusian players here. I’m sure even if you weren’t looking at social media, you would have seen that there was an incident with Novak’s father last night. Do you have a hard time getting all those things out of your head when you go out? Do you think there are other players who are affected by it?
The tournament has been plunged into controversy over support for Russia’s war in Ukraine
Novak Djokovic’s father was spotted with a pro-Russia defender after their quarterfinal victory.
Victoria Azarenka: What exactly are you asking other players?
what Distractions out of your hands, the constant kind of news and topical conversations.
Victoria Azarenka: News from whom?
what Well, from everyone, social networks.
Victoria Azarenka: You’re here talking about it right now, so obviously it’s a topic you want to keep bringing up (smiling).
I don’t know what you want me to say.
what Are you able to completely distance yourself? Are you worried at all? Do you think about it? As a fellow player, do you think how difficult this could be for Novak?
But Belarusian star Azarenka insists that the controversy has nothing to do with the players.
Victoria Azarenka: I don’t know what it has to do with Novak, to be fair, so…
In fact, today I spoke to a security guard who accompanied me to practice every day. I’ve known him for years. I just asked him what the accident was [sic]. He explained me.
I don’t know what they want us to do about it. Do you like to talk about it? I don’t know what the goal is here that is continually mentioned. These incidents that, in my opinion, have nothing to do with the players, but somehow you keep dragging the players down.
So what is the goal here? I think you should ask yourself that question, not me.
what To clarify on that. Does it frustrate you, particularly last night, for example, there was a clear type of pro-Russian demonstration within the tournament grounds, that these people come and use the Australian Open as a platform for these types of demonstrations? Does that frustrate you?
Victoria Azarenka: Whatever the answer I’m going to give you right now, it’s going to turn in whatever direction you want it to be. So it bothers me? What bothers me is that there are real things happening in the world. I dont know. Are you a politician? Are? Are you covering politics?
The women’s final on Saturday will feature Russian-born Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.
what No, I’m a sports journalist.
Victoria Azarenka: And I am an athlete. You’re asking me about things that maybe someone says are in my control, but I don’t think so.
I don’t know what you want me to answer. If it’s a provocative question, then you can turn the story around however you want.
A statement from Tennis Australia on Thursday afternoon addressed the incident outside Rod Laver Arena.
A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards after a game on Wednesday night and were evicted. A client is now assisting the police with unrelated matters,” she would say.
“Players and their teams have been informed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to be disruptive. We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.’