CNN —
The Australian Open told CNN they “notified and reminded” players and their entourage on Thursday about the tournament’s “policy on flags and symbols” after a video surfaced Wednesday of Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjan playing at a demonstration with fans with Russian flags. expressed its support for Russia.
In a video posted to YouTube by a prominent Vladimir Putin supporter, the Serbian player’s father can be seen posing with a fan outside Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. The man wears the “Z” symbol on his shirt while holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it. “Long live Russia,” he says.
The “Z” symbol is seen as a sign of support for Russia, including its invasion of Ukraine. The symbol has been seen on Russian gear and clothing in Ukraine.
“Players and their teams have been briefed on the event’s policies regarding flags and symbols, and reminded to avoid any situation that could lead to disruption,” an Australian Open spokesman told CNN on Thursday.
“We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.”
The Australian Open spokesman continued: “A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security forces after a game on Wednesday night and were evicted. A patron is now supporting the police on unrelated matters.”
In a statement on Friday, which addressed criticism of his actions but fell short of an apology, Srdjan Djokovic said he was in Melbourne “just to support my son” and “had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption “.
“I was out with Novak’s fans like I used to after all my son’s games to celebrate his wins and take photos with them. I had no intention of getting into it,” he said.
“My family has lived through the horrors of war and all we want is peace.”
He added that he will be watching his son’s semi-final game against US star Tommy Paul from home on Friday “so there’s no disruption… for my son or for the other player.”
Novak Djokovic will not comment on the situation, his management told CNN.
Earlier on Friday, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia had urged the player to state his position on the war, saying the incident involving his father was a “provocation” and “casts a negative light on Novak himself while he is on his prepared for the semifinals. ”
“I think to dispel speculation it’s important that he makes a very strong statement about where he stands on this war and I would like to see an apology from Novak Djokovic,” Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko told CNN .
“Of course, the son cannot be responsible for his father’s sins, but he may agree with his father. I think the world should know where he stands.”
Tennis Australia has confirmed four people were banned from the tournament on Wednesday for showing pro-war images.
According to Australian Open rules, Russian and Belarusian flags are excluded from the event.
Tennis Australia operates a ‘neutral flag’ policy and has reiterated that policy in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.