Former Ukrainian star calls for Novak Djokovic’s father to be BANNED from Australian Open

Retired Ukrainian tennis star Alexandr Dolgopolov has called for Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjan to be banned from the Australian Open.

It comes as Djokovic snr was filmed in Melbourne Park alongside a group of men who were evicted from the venue on Wednesday night after waving a pitchside Russian flag with the face of President Vladimir Putin on it.

on a youtube video Posted shortly after his son, number four seed Djokovic, beat Russia’s Andrey Rublev in their quarter-final, Djokovic Snr reportedly reads ‘zivjeli Russiyani’, which translates to ‘long live Russia’.

One of the men in the clip was wearing a T-shirt with the Z symbol, an emblem of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Dolgopolov, 34, called the pro-Putin video “absolutely disgusting” and then singled out Srdjan Djokovic.

“Politics should be kept out of sports they said,” former world number 13 Dolgopolov tweeted.

It comes as Djokovic snr was filmed in Melbourne Park (circled) alongside a group of men who were thrown out of the venue on Wednesday night after waving a Russian flag with the face of President Vladimir Putin on it.

Dolgopolov, 34, called the pro-Putin video “absolutely disgusting” and later singled out Srdjan Djokovic on Twitter.

“These people have no business in tennis tournaments, including @DjokerNole’s father, if they openly praise a genocidal regime.”

Dolgopolov, last on the professional circuit in 2018, was fighting on the front lines in Kherson, a Ukrainian city northwest of Crimea, as recently as last month, news corporation informed.

Srdjan Djokovic and his wife Dijana watch Novak during his quarterfinal victory over Andrey Rublev on Wednesday at Rod Laver Arena.

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic (left) with father Srdjan. After watching his son’s quarterfinal win at the Australian Open, he was seen posing with a Russian flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on it.

Tennis Australia bosses warned the star’s father about his conduct, but Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, demanded that he be banned from attending the Open, calling the incident “a disgrace.”

“Among the Serbian flags, there is a Russian flag, Putin, symbol Z, the so-called flag of the Donetsk People’s Republic,” he said furiously.

That is a misfortune.

A fan was seen at the Australian Open wearing Russia’s ultra-nationalist ‘Z’ war symbol

The call for the ban was backed by Stefan Romaniw, co-chairman of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations.

“Tennis Australia must show that it is strong and principled and revoke its accreditation and force it out,” he said.

‘Tennis Australia evicted others who flaunted the ban. Why a distinction here?

Tennis Australia issued a brief statement on the matter on Thursday afternoon, but no action has been taken to date.

“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 security and law enforcement agencies.”

A group of fans chanted “Russia, Serbia” in a reminder of the two countries’ close cultural ties.

Srdjan Djokovic spoke out last year when his son was prevented from playing at the Australian Open and deported from the country for not having a Covid vaccine.

He accused Australia of trying to ‘murder’ his superstar son.

The Australian Open entry rules prohibit any flag in support of Russia or Belarus due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, while Ukrainian players are allowed to play under their national flag.

Djokovic, who is chasing his 10th career Australian Open title, faces American star Tommy Paul on Friday night for a spot in the final.