Wednesday night at the Australian Open, Srdjan Djokovic, the father of Novak Djokovic, was photographed posing for photos with Vladimir Putin supporters.
Victoria police expelled four men from Melbourne Park on Wednesday night after they chanted pro-Russian and pro-Vladimir Putin slogans on the steps of Rod Laver Arena while waving numerous Russian flags, including one with Putin’s face.
Before the eviction of the four pro-Kremlin supporters, Srdjan Djokovic met with fans outside Rod Laver Arena and posed for photographs with a fan wearing a “Z” symbol shirt and carrying a Russian flag with a large image of Vladimir Putin.
Before departing, Srdjan Djokovic appears to say “zivjeli Russiyani” or “long live Russian citizens” in a video uploaded to YouTube by Aussie Cossack. “Zivjeli” means “cheers” in Serbian and Croatian, and is used during toasts. “Russiyani” refers to Russian citizens.
The man Djokovic appears with is wearing a shirt with the logo of the Russian motorbike gang Night Wolves, and he begins his video message by wishing the gang’s international president, Alexander Zaldostanov, well from Melbourne.
Zaldostanov is considered a personal friend of Putin and was reportedly sanctioned by the European Union along with the club last year.
Novak Djokovic’s father poses with Putin flag-bearers
Before the match, Simeon Boikov, who runs the YouTube channel Aussie Cossack, encouraged other pro-Putin supporters to attend to “retaliate” against Tennis Australia.
It occurred after TA banned Russian flags at the Australian Open following an incident during the first-round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova, during which spectators with Russian flags appeared.
Boikov was arrested this week for beating a 76-year-old man during a Sydney pro-Ukraine demonstration. Currently, he is seeking asylum at the Russian consulate.
“Djokovic faces Andrey Rublev today.” I hereby request or command everyone to descend. “I can confirm that we have some surprises,” said Boikov.
“Tennis Australia, prepare for impact… for tennis enthusiasts if you understand what I mean. If I don’t phrase it this way, I’ll be charged with incitement. We’re expecting a large number of serious fans from Melbourne.
“Now it comes down to honor and dignity. This constitutes an assault on honor and dignity. This has no relationship to the war. This is an attack on Australia’s freedom. This constitutes discrimination. This constitutes racism. It is illegal to prohibit flags.
“The Russian empire’s flag has been declared illegal. Well, what do you know, Tennis Australia? Best wishes for when the empire strikes back!”
Thursday, Victoria police confirmed the eviction of four men from Melbourne Park.
“On January 25 at 10:20 p.m., four men were questioned by police after a Russian flag was discovered on the tennis court steps.” All four men were evicted, according to Victoria police.
Australians frequently share pro-Russia propaganda
According to accounts, the group carried a Night Wolves flag, a pro-Putin gang in at least four Australian states.
Recent public social media posts indicate that some Australians frequently share pro-Russia propaganda.
Some club members have held Republika Srpska’s flag on rides.
Djokovic was criticized in 2020 for accepting the Order of the Republika Srpska for promoting tennis in the region, even though previous recipients of the award included convicted Serb war criminals.
Tennis Australia warned players and teams not to touch forbidden flags following the Djokovic photos.
Following a match on Wednesday night, a small group displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards, leading to their eviction. One patron is currently assisting police with unrelated matters, according to a statement from Tennis Australia.
Players and teams were advised on the event’s flag and emblem rules and reminded to prevent disruptions. We continue to collaborate with event security and law enforcement.”
The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, tweeted, “It’s a complete package. There are Russian, Putin, Z-symbol, and so-called Donetsk People’s Republic flag among the Serbian flags. It’s such a shame…”
