Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjan says he will watch his son’s semi-final from off site after a video emerged showing him posing at the Australian Open with fans holding Russian flags.
“So there is no disruption to tonight’s semi-final for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home,” he said in an emailed statement on Friday.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, had called for Djokovic’s father to be banned from the Open for posing with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin outside Melbourne Park on Wednesday night.
A group of fans, including a man holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it, had gathered on stairs outside the grand slam complex.
In a video posted to YouTube on Thursday, Srdjan Djokovic was filmed with the pro-Russian spectators, briefly speaking to the camera in Serbian before walking off.
“I am here to support my son only. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption,” Djokovic senior said in the statement.
“I was outside with Novak’s fans as I have done after all of my son’s matches to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them. I had no intention of being caught up in this.
“My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace.
“I wish for a great match and I will be cheering for my son, as always.”
The incident came after Tennis Australia banned spectators from carrying and displaying Russian and Belarusian banners in Melbourne Park on the second day of the tournament.
Myroshnychenko said Tennis Australia should ban Srdjan Djokovic for “such a disgrace”.
“It’s up to Tennis Australia to take action,” he told News Corp.
“I think it would be a very good idea not to let him in. I don’t know why he would say something like that considering what the Russians are doing in Ukraine, how many people they have killed, tortured, raped and all the summary executions that have happened against civilians.”
Ukrainian former player and 2011 Australian Open quarter-finalist Alexandr Dolgopolov also called for a ban on Djokovic’s father and his fellow protestors, describing the scene as “absolutely disgusting”.
Novak Djokovic plays American Tommy Paul on Friday night for a berth in a record 10th final at Melbourne Park.
Tennis Australia issued a statement on Thursday that did not directly address Srdjan Djokovic’s actions.
“A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted,” it read.
“One patron is now assisting police with unrelated matters.
“Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt.”
Past and present Russian flags, the Russian Eagle banner, Belarusian flags, and items of clothing with the Z symbol are prohibited items at Melbourne Park.
TA had initially permitted spectators to bring Russian and Belarusian banners to Melbourne Park, as long as they did not cause disruption, but the policy was quickly reversed.
That rule has been flouted on multiple occasions but Wednesday night’s incident was the most blatant.
Russian and Belarusian players, including women’s finalist Aryna Sabalenka, were allowed to compete in Melbourne but only under a neutral banner.
Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos have created tennis history to deny Sania Mirza a fairytale finish to her trailblazing career with victory in the Australian Open mixed doubles final.
The unseeded duo proved too strong for Mirza and fellow Indian Rohan Bopanna, prevailing 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 in Friday’s championship decider at Rod Laver Arena.
In doing so, they became the first all-Brazilian pairing to win a grand slam title.
Mirza won six major doubles titles – three mixed, including the 2009 Australian Open – and will end her glittering career next month in Dubai.
The 36-year-old first appeared at a grand slam 18 years ago in Melbourne, when she was beaten by eventual champion Serena Williams in the women’s singles third round.
“I’ve had the privilege to come back here again and again, and win some tournaments and play some great finals,” Mirza said.
“Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life and I couldn’t think of a better arena to finish my career at in a grand slam.”
Mirza was 14 years old when she first partnered Bopanna on court, and the close friends have since shared a special bond.
The 42-year-old Bopanna said Mirza had been an inspiration for tennis fans across the world, especially in her homeland.
“It’s truly special for me to play along with Sania,” Bopanna said.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get the title, but thank you so much for what you have done for Indian tennis.”
Stefani and Matos dropped just one set – against the Australian wildcard pairing of Olivia Gadecki and Marc Polmans in their semi-final – across five matches that led to the championship.
It is the first time either 25-year-old Stefani or 27-year-old Matos have won a major title.
The pair came together earlier this year at the United Cup in Brisbane, and are now unbeaten in seven matches.
Stefani said an invitation from Matos to play together on her return from a serious knee injury provided inspiration as she completed her rehabilitation last year.
“It was about Wimbledon-time last year and he asked me how I was doing,” she said.
“I was doing rehab … that was a big motivation for me to keep working hard and keep getting closer to coming back.
“Now here we are, winning our first grand slam together in Australia in this beautiful court … it’s a dream come true.”
Stefani and Matos vowed to be back next year to defend their crown.
© AAP
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