Novak Djokovic’s dad escapes ban from Australian Open men’s final after pro-Russian celebration

Tournament director Craig Tiley has given Novak Djokovic’s father the green light to attend the Australian Open final.

Srdjan Djokovic watched his son’s semifinal win over Tommy Paul offsite to avoid it becoming an interruption after video of him with Vladimir Putin fans surfaced on Wednesday night.

Whether or not he will return to the court when Djokovic attempts to claim his 10th Open crown with victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas has been a big talking point in the run-up to Sunday night’s title match?

But Tiley has revealed that Djokovic’s father is free to take his place at Rod Laver Arena after accepting that the Serb had been inadvertently dragged into the flag drama.

It is your decision. We’re going to let it be his decision and ultimately he has to make the decision,” Tiley said Sunday.

Srdjan (circled) was seen at the Australian Open with a fan holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it and wearing a T-shirt with the Z symbol of the Russian armed forces.

It did not violate any event policy. That’s really important because what has been written about what he (supposedly) said hasn’t been correct and I think people are taking back that.

“It’s unfortunate that massive assumptions have been made.”

Russian flags, the Russian eagle banner, Belarusian flags and Z-symbol clothing items are banned from Melbourne Park amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Tiley said he believed Djokovic’s father didn’t realize he was posing with people carrying Russian flags.

“I know him personally and his family was devastated by what happened. It was not intentional and I agree with it and it was not designed to cause harm to anyone,” Tiley said.

‘It was an unfortunate situation and the Serbian fans have been fantastic. Every day has been very active and loud and boisterous and that adds to all the color of the event.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley (pictured) refused to ban Djokovic’s father because he believes he did not know that the people he was recorded with were openly supporting Russia.

‘So you have two or three or, in this case, four people who screwed it up and got evicted and are not welcome back.

“Ideally he wouldn’t get caught up in that, but at that point, you don’t know and it’s unfortunate that that happened because we’re a platform, we’re a global platform and whatever little thing like that.” he begins to take on a life of his own, which he did not need.

Tiley’s green light for Djokovic’s father to return to Melbourne Park comes after the 21-time Grand Slam champion pleaded with fans to be respectful and not cross the line during the final.

Djokovic felt his father was “roughed up” by pro-Russia fans and admitted the escalation of the saga had taken its toll during his bid for a tenth Open crown.

Djokovic has had run-ins with rowdy Australian fans at this year’s Open and pleaded with them to behave and focus on tennis during the men’s singles final.

Djokovic hopes the fans will behave when he takes on the Greek cult hero Tstisipas.

‘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.

“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.”