Novak Djokovic’s father could be BANNED from attending Australian Open final on Sunday

A belated decision will be made on whether to allow Novak Djokovic’s father to attend Sunday’s Australian Open final in the wake of his controversial interaction with Vladimir Putin supporters on Wednesday.

Srdjan Djokovic was filmed with a man wearing a ‘Z’ shirt [denoting support for Russian armed forces] and behind a flag with the face of the Russian president.

While he maintained that he simply wished to thank Novak’s fans for their support, the incident led to an uproar with Ukraine’s ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko calling on Tennis Australia to prevent Djokovic’s senior from attending the final.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley has admitted that Novak Djokovic’s father may not be able to attend Sunday’s Australian Open final.

speaking to news corporationTennis Australia chief executive and tournament director Craig Tiley has confirmed that organizers will make a late call on whether to allow Djokovic’s father to be in the stands at Rod Laver Arena to watch his son play Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.

“I couldn’t give you a definitive answer right now,” Tiley said.

We are in a different situation, and [on Sunday] night, whether or not that has an impact on her or not […] I think the decision not to be there on Friday night was due to the fact that there was a lot of intensity surrounding that action.

“He was very clear that he had absolutely no intention of this happening. And that there was no specific position to do it.

Djokovic senior (left) controversially interacted with supporters of Vladimir Putin outside Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

Djokovic (second left) was seen with a fan who was holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it and wearing a T-shirt with the Z symbol of the Russian armed forces.

“The family was devastated that it seemed that way, and particularly Novak because he was so focused on winning.

‘One thing I know about Novak is that sometimes the more distractions he has, sometimes he gets better. He is very good at signing up alone. But he can’t take it long.

After beating Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 on Friday to reach his 10th Australian Open final, Djokovic admitted that the incident affected him.

However, he insisted that his father had been “roughed up” by people expressing their support for Russia outside Rod Laver Arena.

Tiley insisted that Djokovic was “devastated” by the way his father was portrayed.

“It was unfortunate that the misinterpretation of what happened has escalated to such a high level,” he said.

Of course, it has affected me too. I didn’t realize until last night. So I was not pleased to see that.

‘My whole family and I have been through various wars during the 1990s. As my father said in a statement, we are against war. We know how devastating it is for the people of any country going through a war.’

Tiley backed Djokovic, insisting he was sure the star’s father was not intending to make a political statement.

The 35-year-old could win his tenth Australian Open title on Sunday if he beats Stefanos Tsitsipas.

I know for a fact that there was no intention. I don’t know exactly what was said […] We don’t know exactly what was said,” he said.

“But at the end of the day, I know he was very upset that he found out that way. I know Novak and I’ve known Novak for a long time. He has been outspoken against the war.

Ukrainian players were quick to criticize the photo of Djokovic senior.

Former doubles world number 1 Alex Dolgopolov, now fighting on home soil, posted on social media: ‘Absolutely disgusting. Politics must be kept out of sports, they said. These people have no business in tennis tournaments.

Marta Kostyuk posted angry emojis on her Twitter, while her compatriot Lesia Tsurenko added: “There are no words to say.”

Djokovic’s father was conspicuously absent as his son kept his bid for a 10th Australian Open title alive on Friday.

“I am here only to support my son,” he said in a statement.

“I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruptions. I was outside with the Novak fans like I have after all my son’s games to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them.

‘I had no intention of getting caught with this.’

On Friday, the tennis fan brandishing Russia’s ultranationalist ‘Z’ war symbol also appeared and returned to Rod Laver Arena in a major security faux pas for tournament organizers.