Novak Djokovic's father spotted with pro-Russian activists

UPDATE DAY

The father of tennis star Novak Djokovic was spotted with pro-Russian activists after his son's victory over Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open. 

< p>Team, a sports media outlet, reports that several videos of Srdan Djokovic have been shared on social media. 

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:https://t.co/L4gtaKKNP6 pic.twitter.com/qnOx3MGYqB

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 26, 2023

Seen with supporters waving flags with the face of Vladimir Putin while chanting pro-Russian slogans. These images were even taken up by a pro-Russian YouTube channel. The Melbourne Age, a local newspaper, claims that he would have proclaimed “Long Live Russia” in Serbian.

The event prompted a reaction from the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.

It's a full package. Among the Serbian flags, there is: a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol, so-called Donetsk People's Republic flag. It’s such a disgrace…@TennisAustralia @AustralianOpen https://t.co/wZoZontcEj

— Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) January 25, 2023

“They really went all out. Among the Serbian flags there are: a Russian flag, Putin, the Z symbol and the so-called flag of the Donetsk People's Republic. It's a disgrace,” he wrote on his Twitter account.

The Australian Tennis Federation claimed to have hunted four people who displayed “inappropriate flags and symbols”. The perpetrators also reportedly threatened security guards.

The tournament prohibits spectators from displaying Russian or Belarusian flags to show support for Ukraine.