Novak Djokovic: Ukraine demands Australian Open ban for dad for posing with Russian Putin fans 

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia has demanded that Novak Djokovic’s father be barred from the Australian Open after he posed for photos with fans waving Russian flags that are banned from the tournament.

Srdjan Djokovic was seen in a video posing with fans waving Russian flags emblazoned with the face of President Vladimir Putin on the steps of Rod Laver Arena.

He was standing next to a fan who was wearing a T-shirt with the Z symbol of the Russian army and appears to be saying in Serbian: ‘Long live the Russians.’

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.”

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.

He wants Djokovic’s father to be thrown out of the tournament, and at least from the player’s box, with an apology from his grand slam legend son.

“It is up to Tennis Australia to take action,” he told the herald sun. ‘It would be a very good idea not to let him in.

“I don’t know why you would say something like that considering what the Russians are doing in the Ukraine, how many people they have killed, tortured, raped and all the summary executions that have occurred against civilians.”

He said allowing Djokovic’s father to sit in the high-profile players’ box for Friday night’s semi-final against Tommy Paul would send the wrong message to the world.

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?

The video revealing the controversial moment appeared on a pro-Russian YouTube channel.

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

Shortly after the Serbian star reached the semifinals on Thursday night, his father mingled with the fans by declaring his support for Russia. Serbia and Russia are long-standing geopolitical and military allies.

Police and Tennis Australia later confirmed that four spectators were evicted from Melbourne Park.

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.

A video posted on YouTube shows Srdjan posing next to the flag and a supporter chanting “Long live Russia!”

Srdjan is shown to be warmly greeted by his son’s fans and then appears to say something in support before continuing.

Srdjan 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 player himself has tried to avoid controversy since arriving in Australia to focus on his title efforts.

On Wednesday he could be seen signing an autograph for a man who had earlier been seen wearing a Z-logo T-shirt worn by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Srdjan Djokovic and his wife Dijana watch Novak during his quarterfinal win over Andrey Rublev on Wednesday

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

“A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards after a match on Wednesday night and were evicted,” a Tennis Australia statement read.

‘A boss is now helping the police with unrelated matters. Players and their teams have been informed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any potentially disruptive situations.

“We continue to work closely with security and law enforcement agencies.”