Novak Djokovic’s dad seen posing with Russian pro-war demonstrators

Scandal has erupted at the Australian Open with nine-time champion Novak Djokovic’s dad seen posing with pro-war demonstrators.

Srdan Djokovic was seen posing with a group of Russian demonstrators. Photo: YouTube, Australian Cossack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MCPYdm8kZM.

Novak Djokovic’s father has been seen posing with Russian demonstrators during a protest in support of President Vladimir Putin at the Australian Open.

The tournament has been tossed into scandal after police detained four men outside Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night following Djokovic’s quarter-final win over Russian Andrey Rublev.

Spectators inside Melbourne Park were seen with pro-war signs and flags featuring the face of Putin as they chanted outside the stadium.

A video posted on YouTube now appears to show Djokovic’s dad, Srdan, posing with a group of men who were also seen waving the Russian flags which have been banned from the Australian Open.

Newsagency inews.co.uk first reported the video which appears to show Srdan telling one of the demonstrators “Long live the Russians” in a loose translation.

In a video posted on the YouTube channel Aussie Cossack, the father of the nine-time Australian Open champion was seen alongside a man who was wearing a T-shirt that prominently featured the pro-war ‘Z’ symbol.

Srdan Djokovic was seen posing with a group of Russian demonstrators. Photo: YouTube, Australian Cossack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MCPYdm8kZM.

A demonstrator seen in the video captured at the Australian Open. Photo: YouTube, Australian Cossack.

The video also shows that the group of Russian activists was able to stage its demonstration for an extended period of time before security intervened.

Tennis Australia earlier confirmed four spectators were detained by police and were further questioned.

A statement from Victoria Police has confirmed all four men were evicted from the event.

“Police spoke to four men after a Russian flag was produced on the steps at the tennis about 10.20pm on Wednesday 25 January. All four men were evicted,” the statement read.

Footage posted online showed at least one man holding a Russian flag with President Vladimir Putin’s face on it.

Another man was seen inside the stadium during the match with a pro war ‘Z’ symbol T-shirt.

Spectators are banned from having Russian or Belarusian flags at the Grand Slam after Ukraine’s ambassador demanded action when they were seen among the crowd last week.

Tennis Australia released a statement in response to the scenes that unfolded at Melbourne Park on Wednesday night.

“A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted. One patron is now assisting police with unrelated matters,” the statement read.

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

A member of security checks the bag of an entering spectator. Photo by Paul CROCK / AFP.

A sign of items banned at the Australian Open. Photo: Twitter, Ben Rothenberg.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players have normally competed under a neutral white flag as independents, as is the case at the Australian Open.

Three of the eight quarter-finalists in the men’s singles and women’s singles draws are playing as neutrals, while Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina was also born in Russia.

A flag featuring Vladimir Putin’s face is seen at Melbourne Park.

Two Belarusian players — Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka — could meet in Saturday’s Australian Open final after winning through to the last four.

Karen Khachanov also plays Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals.

Tennis Australia said in a statement security staff were threatened during the incident outside the stadium.

“Four people in the crowd leaving the stadium revealed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards,” an Australian Open statement read.

“Victoria Police intervened and are continuing to question them. The comfort and safety of everyone is our priority and we work closely with security and authorities.”

Vision of a group of spectators

A video of the incident captured by journalist Tumaini Carayol showed a group of spectators waving flags and chanting “Serbia, Russia”.

Just took a walk around Melbourne Park after filing and a group of people were standing on the Rod Laver Arena steps, holding up a flag with Vladimir Putin’s face and chanting in support of Russia. pic.twitter.com/2p0LfkyVC3

— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 25, 2023

The Telegraph has also reported Djokovic may have unwittingly signed a flag for a spectator who was previously seen in the crowd wearing the ‘Z’ T-shirt.

Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing at Wimbledon in 2022.