CNN
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The Australian Open advised CNN it has “briefed and reminded” gamers and their entourages concerning the match’s “coverage concerning flags and symbols” on Thursday after video emerged on Wednesday of Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, pictured at an illustration with followers holding Russian flags, voicing his assist for Russia.
In a video posted on YouTube by a recognized Vladimir Putin supporter, the Serbian participant’s father will be seen posing with a fan outdoors Melbourne’s Rod Laver Enviornment. The person is sporting the “Z” image on his shirt, whereas holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it. “Lengthy stay the Russia,” he says.
The “Z” image is seen as an indication of assist for Russia, together with its invasion of Ukraine. The image has been seen on Russian gear and clothes in Ukraine.
“Gamers and their groups have been briefed and reminded of the occasion coverage concerning flags and symbols and to keep away from any state of affairs that has the potential to disrupt,” an Australian Open spokesperson advised CNN Thursday.
“We proceed to work intently with occasion safety and legislation enforcement businesses.”
The Australian Open spokesperson went on to say “a small group of individuals displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened safety guards following a match on Wednesday night time and had been evicted. One patron is now aiding police with unrelated issues.”
In a press release Friday that addressed criticism of his actions however stopped wanting an apology, Srdjan Djokovic stated he was in Melbourne “to assist my son solely,” and “had no intention of inflicting such headlines or disruption.”
“I used to be outdoors with Novak’s followers as I’ve completed in spite of everything of my son’s matches to have fun his wins and take photos with them. I had no intention of being caught up on this,” he stated.
“My household has lived via the horror of conflict, and we want just for peace.”
He added that he would watch his son’s semifinal match in opposition to US star Tommy Paul from house on Friday “so there is no such thing as a disruption … for my son or for the opposite participant.”
Novak Djokovic won’t be commenting on the state of affairs, his administration advised CNN.
Earlier Friday, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia had urged the participant to state his place on the conflict, saying the incident together with his father had amounted to a “provocation” and “shines a adverse mild on Novak himself as he prepares for his semi-final.”
“I feel for him to dispel the hypothesis it’s essential to make a really robust assertion about the place he stands on this conflict, and I wish to see an apology from Novak Djokovic,” Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko advised CNN.
“After all, the son can’t be answerable for the sins of his father, however possibly he concurs as his father. I feel the world ought to know the place he stands.”
Tennis Australia has confirmed that 4 folks had been ejected from the match on Wednesday for displaying pro-war imagery.
In line with the Australian Open guidelines Russian and Belarusian flags are banned from the occasion.
Tennis Australia has a “impartial flag” coverage and has re-emphasized it coverage amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.