"Anyone rooting for Novak should be ashamed"; "Novak is not his father" - Tennis fans split over pro-Russia sentiments from Djokovic's father
Novak Djokovic's father Srdjan was spotted posing for pictures alongside Russian supporters and has been allegedly accused of expressing pro-Russian sentiments during the 2023 Australian Open.
Djokovic faced off against Russia's Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday. After the Serb won the match in straight sets, several fans with pro-Vladimir Putin flags were spotted chanting in support of their country and President. Srdjan accompanied the group and posed for a picture, thus landing himself in trouble.
Amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Tennis Australia even banned Russian flags and any pro-war symbols from entering the stadium. In light of the incident, several fans expressed their annoyance at Srdjan and his family on social media.
One fan conveyed that anyone supporting Djokovic after the incident should be "ashamed" of themselves.
"Anyone rooting for novak should be ashamed," their tweet read.
Anyone rooting for novak should be ashamed twitter.com/jamesgraysport…
Another fan termed Djokovic and his family "absolutely despicable." They went on to express their disgust at the Serb's chances of winning the Grand Slam in Melbourne after the controversies that have unfolded.
"Djok, his family and his fans are absolutely despicable!! Can't believe he is gonna win the slam!! Ughhg! Absolutely disgusting!!!," wrote the user.
Djok, his family and his fans are absolutely despicable!! 🤮🤮🤮🤮 Can't believe he is gonna win the slam!! Ughhg! Absolutely disgusting!!! twitter.com/jamesgraysport…
However, certain sections of the fans pointed out that it is unfair to drag the World No. 5 into the issue, stating that he is not responsible for what his father does.
Although one Twitter user admitted that it was "disgusting" to hear such news, they urged fellow tennis fans to keep the 21-time Grand Slam champion out of the issue.
"This is disgusting if true. But remember, let’s be fair, Novak is not his father. Keep the two separate," wrote the user in his tweet.
@jamesgraysport This is disgusting if true. But remember, let’s be fair, Novak is not his father. Keep the two separate.
Another fan lashed out at Srdjan for the "distractions" he is causing around his son's career. They also suggested that people should not "conflate the two" in the incident.
"Novak is obviously not Srdjan and we shouldn’t conflate the two. But man, Srdjan has created drama and distractions around his son over his entire career," read their tweet.
Novak is obviously not Srdjan and we shouldn’t conflate the two. But man, Srdjan has created drama and distractions around his son over his entire career. twitter.com/jamesgraysport…
Here are a few other fan reactions:
It's important to note that we are not responsible for our parents.
That said, wild for this to happen a mere five days after Djokovic bemoaned feeling unjustly vilified throughout his career. twitter.com/jamesgraysport…
This is…quite a mess for the #AusOpen, to say the least.
Srdjan Djokovic posing with the pro-Putin rally last night just outside Rod Laver Arena.
The levels of security breakdowns that allowed for this are staggering.
Story/video via @jamesgraysport:
inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/n… https://t.co/qnOx3MGYqB
Furthermore, and worth adding to this thread, Novak Djokovic is not responsible for his parents. (God help is if we are…). As I said in an early thread about these fans, it’s not his war and he has made notable contributions to Ukrainian players.
@jamesgraysport Stop going after Novak and his family.
@jamesgraysport This is so on brand for the djokovics
@jamesgraysport Are we surprised?
@jamesgraysport So the whole Djokovic family are dirtbags?
@jamesgraysport This is disheartening to read, but Novak is not his father. Keep the two separate.
And who gives a fuck ? There's free speech and he can say whatever the fuck he wants.
He's his dad, not Novak personally saying those words so James FO for trying to stir another controversy before a major SF. shame on u and ur gossip twitter.com/jamesgraysport…
Novak Djokovic's father appears to say "Long live the Russians" to the pro-Russian supporters
Djokovic's father Srdjan apparently stated "Long live the Russians" to the Russian supporters after posing for pictures with them at the Australian Open. In a video posted on YouTube on Thursday, officials at the stadium can be seen forcing the riot group out of the premises. Minutes before they left, Srdjan reportedly said:
"Zivejli Russiyani," which has been translated by the channel as "Long live the Russians."
Tennis Australia has confirmed that Russian supporters have been detained by the police for their actions.
“Four people in the crowd leaving the stadium revealed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards,” read a statement from the Australian Open.
Whether Srdjan will get into trouble for his controversial gestures, however, remains to be seen.