Month: January 2023

Srdjan Djokovic opted to not attend his son‘s Australian Open semifinal win on Friday

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has sprung to the defense of his father Srdjan after he was filmed alongside Russian supporters following a match involving his son at the Australian Open this week.

Video footage appeared online shortly after Wednesday’s match between Djokovic and Russia’s Andrey Rublev. It showed Srdjan Djokovic alongside a man holding the Russian tricolor and wearing a ‘Z’ symbol on his shirt, which is commonly associated with Russian troops in Ukraine.

Subtitles on the video suggested that Srdjan Djokovic made a pro-Russian statement in the brief clip. A ban on displaying the Russian flag was introduced by Tennis Australia earlier in the tournament.

However, Srdjan Djokovic later issued a statement to say that he had been unwittingly caught up in a pro-Russia demonstration as he celebrated and posed for photographs with his son’s supporters in Melbourne. He added that he would stay away from Djokovic’s semifinal match with American Tommy Paul, which took place earlier on Friday.

A phrase used by Djokovic Sr in the footage was translated as professing support for Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. However, Serbian media later clarified that his words were actually a common way of saying goodbye.

Following his win against Paul, which will see Novak Djokovic appear in the tenth Australian Open final of his career, the Serb admitted that the furore involving his father had affected him during the match.

It was unfortunate that the misinterpretation of what happened has escalated to such a high level. There was a lot of conversations with the tournament director, with media and everyone else,” said Djokovic in his post-match press conference.

It has got to me, of course, as well. I was not aware of it until last night. Then, of course, I was not pleased to see that.”

Djokovic roared into an early lead in his match with Paul, only to uncharacteristically appear to lose momentum late in the first set, offering his opponent a route back into the match.

He ultimately rallied, though, and saw the win through in a three-set whitewash.

With the potential semifinal pitfall successfully navigated, Djokovic turned his attention to the Russian supporters who he said had “misused” his father, as well as the media who mistranslated his father’s comments.

The photo that he made, he was passing through. I heard what he said in the video. He said, ‘Cheers.’ Unfortunately, some of the media has interpreted that in a really wrong way.

There was a lot of Serbian flags around. That’s what he thought. He thought he was making a photo with somebody from Serbia.

He was misused in this situation by this group of people,” he added. “I can’t be angry with him or upset because I can say it was not his fault. He went out to celebrate with my fans, and that’s it.

After that, of course he felt bad because of me and he knew how that’s going to reflect on me.”

Djokovic also said he was unsure whether his father would attend Sunday’s final where he will take on Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in pursuit of a tenth Australian Open title, a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam win and a 28th consecutive victory overall at the Melbourne event.

Srdjan Djokovic opted to not attend his son‘s Australian Open semifinal win on Friday

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has sprung to the defense of his father Srdjan after he was filmed alongside Russian supporters following a match involving his son at the Australian Open this week.

Video footage appeared online shortly after Wednesday’s match between Djokovic and Russia’s Andrey Rublev. It showed Srdjan Djokovic alongside a man holding the Russian tricolor and wearing a ‘Z’ symbol on his shirt, which is commonly associated with Russian troops in Ukraine.

Subtitles on the video suggested that Srdjan Djokovic made a pro-Russian statement in the brief clip. A ban on displaying the Russian flag was introduced by Tennis Australia earlier in the tournament.

However, Srdjan Djokovic later issued a statement to say that he had been unwittingly caught up in a pro-Russia demonstration as he celebrated and posed for photographs with his son’s supporters in Melbourne. He added that he would stay away from Djokovic’s semifinal match with American Tommy Paul, which took place earlier on Friday.

A phrase used by Djokovic Sr in the footage was translated as professing support for Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. However, Serbian media later clarified that his words were actually a common way of saying goodbye.

Following his win against Paul, which will see Novak Djokovic appear in the tenth Australian Open final of his career, the Serb admitted that the furore involving his father had affected him during the match.

It was unfortunate that the misinterpretation of what happened has escalated to such a high level. There was a lot of conversations with the tournament director, with media and everyone else,” said Djokovic in his post-match press conference.

It has got to me, of course, as well. I was not aware of it until last night. Then, of course, I was not pleased to see that.”

Djokovic roared into an early lead in his match with Paul, only to uncharacteristically appear to lose momentum late in the first set, offering his opponent a route back into the match.

He ultimately rallied, though, and saw the win through in a three-set whitewash.

With the potential semifinal pitfall successfully navigated, Djokovic turned his attention to the Russian supporters who he said had “misused” his father, as well as the media who mistranslated his father’s comments.

The photo that he made, he was passing through. I heard what he said in the video. He said, ‘Cheers.’ Unfortunately, some of the media has interpreted that in a really wrong way.

There was a lot of Serbian flags around. That’s what he thought. He thought he was making a photo with somebody from Serbia.

He was misused in this situation by this group of people,” he added. “I can’t be angry with him or upset because I can say it was not his fault. He went out to celebrate with my fans, and that’s it.

After that, of course he felt bad because of me and he knew how that’s going to reflect on me.”

Djokovic also said he was unsure whether his father would attend Sunday’s final where he will take on Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in pursuit of a tenth Australian Open title, a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam win and a 28th consecutive victory overall at the Melbourne event.

Russia and Belarus may be permitted to send neutral delegations to the 2024 Olympics

Ukraine may opt to boycott the Paris Olympics in 2024 if Russian and Belarusian athletes are permitted to compete, the country’s Sports Minister Vadim Guttsait has warned.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week said it was exploring options to reintegrate athletes from both countries into the Olympic fold, 11 months on from the IOC imposing sanctions actions Russia and Belarus following the onset of military action in Ukraine.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) extended an invitation to Russia and Belarus to potentially compete in the Asian Games in September, which could provide a platform for athletes to participate in Olympic qualification events.

Russia has traditionally competed in the European qualification network but has been restricted from doing so as a result of the sanctions imposed by the IOC.

But the Ukrainian sports minister, who is also the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOCU), said he will lobby to ensure that Russian and Belarusian isolation from international sporting events continues.

For the whole Ukrainian sports community, this is a question of principle!” he wrote on Facebook, via translation.

In this, we are supported by both the President of our state, and all society.

Part of the International Federations are outraged by the IOC’s efforts to promote the return of Russians and Belarusians.

We have addressed and will address all international organizations that can influence the situation and whose opinions the IOC members can listen to.

Our position is unchanged: as long as there is a war in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be in international competitions!!!

If we are not heard, I do not rule out the possibility that we will boycott and refuse participation in the Olympics.”

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky detailed this week in a message on Telegram that he held a telephone call with French president Emmanuel Macron, in which he stressed that Russian and Belarusian athletes have “no place” in the French capital next year.

However, in a subsequent statement the IOC insisted that penalizing individual athletes due to their nationalities is contrary to the Olympic Charter.

Among the term outlined by the IOC for the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes included a strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, as well as a declaration that athletes must maintain a stance of neutrality amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The IOC also stated that the sanctions against both governments must continue.

Following the IOC’s statement, figures in Moscow said that moves to reinstate Russian and Belarusian competitors was a step in the right direction – but again noted opposition to the sanctions as a whole.

I perceive the information from the IOC as an attempt to take a step towards the athletes,” Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Stanislav Pozdnyakov said.

But at the same time, unfortunately, it is also two steps in the opposite direction.

In fact, [the] statement is an attempt to correct a mistake that has already resulted in groundless restrictions for Russian and Belarusian sports for almost a year and has caused great damage to all international sports.”

Russia and Belarus may be permitted to send neutral delegations to the 2024 Olympics

Ukraine may opt to boycott the Paris Olympics in 2024 if Russian and Belarusian athletes are permitted to compete, the country’s Sports Minister Vadim Guttsait has warned.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week said it was exploring options to reintegrate athletes from both countries into the Olympic fold, 11 months on from the IOC imposing sanctions actions Russia and Belarus following the onset of military action in Ukraine.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) extended an invitation to Russia and Belarus to potentially compete in the Asian Games in September, which could provide a platform for athletes to participate in Olympic qualification events.

Russia has traditionally competed in the European qualification network but has been restricted from doing so as a result of the sanctions imposed by the IOC.

But the Ukrainian sports minister, who is also the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOCU), said he will lobby to ensure that Russian and Belarusian isolation from international sporting events continues.

For the whole Ukrainian sports community, this is a question of principle!” he wrote on Facebook, via translation.

In this, we are supported by both the President of our state, and all society.

Part of the International Federations are outraged by the IOC’s efforts to promote the return of Russians and Belarusians.

We have addressed and will address all international organizations that can influence the situation and whose opinions the IOC members can listen to.

Our position is unchanged: as long as there is a war in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be in international competitions!!!

If we are not heard, I do not rule out the possibility that we will boycott and refuse participation in the Olympics.”

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky detailed this week in a message on Telegram that he held a telephone call with French president Emmanuel Macron, in which he stressed that Russian and Belarusian athletes have “no place” in the French capital next year.

However, in a subsequent statement the IOC insisted that penalizing individual athletes due to their nationalities is contrary to the Olympic Charter.

Among the term outlined by the IOC for the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes included a strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, as well as a declaration that athletes must maintain a stance of neutrality amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The IOC also stated that the sanctions against both governments must continue.

Following the IOC’s statement, figures in Moscow said that moves to reinstate Russian and Belarusian competitors was a step in the right direction – but again noted opposition to the sanctions as a whole.

I perceive the information from the IOC as an attempt to take a step towards the athletes,” Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Stanislav Pozdnyakov said.

But at the same time, unfortunately, it is also two steps in the opposite direction.

In fact, [the] statement is an attempt to correct a mistake that has already resulted in groundless restrictions for Russian and Belarusian sports for almost a year and has caused great damage to all international sports.”

The Serbian star remains on course for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title

History beckons once again for Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic after he emphatically defeated American Tommy Paul on Friday to qualify for yet another Australian Open final.

Djokovic will meet Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s clash in pursuit of what would be a tenth title Down Under, with a win also drawing him level with Spanish rival Rafael Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam stakes, with 22 wins.

Australian Open specialist Djokovic roared out of the blocks in the first set, storming to a 5-1 lead before a brief discussion with the umpire over the use of towels appeared to stifle his momentum, and led to his serve being broken twice to quickly level the scores at 5-5.

That was as good as it got for the American. Paul claimed a 30-0 lead on his next service game, only for Djokovic to click back into gear and storm into the lead – taking the first set 7-5.

From there, it was business as usual for the Serb – who recorded his 27th successive win at the Australian Open, breaking a record held by Andre Agassi.

Djokovic, who has never lost a final at the Australian Open, forged a path to another when he took the second set 6-1 and again met little resistance in the third to take the set – and the match – with a score of 6-2 in a little over 2 hours and 20 minutes on court.

I have strong memories of 15 years ago, but I wouldn’t have imagined things to have turned out like they have. I’m so blessed and grateful, marvelling and cherishing every moment,” Djokovic said afterwards.

[My level is] great, it’s perfect. It’s 110%,” he added, apparently not feeling the effects of a hamstring injury which had been troubling him earlier in the tournament.

Stefanos, see you in two days!

Of course, you’re not as fresh as in the beginning, but we put in a lot of hours throughout the offseason into fitness to be in a good enough condition to play best of five.

I know what’s expected of me. Experience helps, but on court, moment to moment, it’s a great battle with yourself and your opponent. You can feel the long rallies; we both had heavy legs. I held my nerves at the end of the first set; that was a key moment where I started swinging through the ball more.”

Djokovic’s advancement to the final comes a year on from his contentious deportation from Australia following a vaccination row with Australian immigration officials.

He was initially suspended from entering Australia for a period of three years, though this penalty was rescinded in November.

The Djokovic family was the subject of more off-the-court drama this week, however, after Novak’s father Srdjan Djokovic declined to attend his son’s semifinal match after he was pictured in the company of supporters flying the Russian tricolor following Djokovic’s Wednesday win against Russia’s Andrey Rublev.

Displaying the Russian flag was banned by Tennis Australia officials earlier in the tournament.

The Serbian star remains on course for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title

History beckons once again for Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic after he emphatically defeated American Tommy Paul on Friday to qualify for yet another Australian Open final.

Djokovic will meet Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s clash in pursuit of what would be a tenth title Down Under, with a win also drawing him level with Spanish rival Rafael Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam stakes, with 22 wins.

Australian Open specialist Djokovic roared out of the blocks in the first set, storming to a 5-1 lead before a brief discussion with the umpire over the use of towels appeared to stifle his momentum, and led to his serve being broken twice to quickly level the scores at 5-5.

That was as good as it got for the American. Paul claimed a 30-0 lead on his next service game, only for Djokovic to click back into gear and storm into the lead – taking the first set 7-5.

From there, it was business as usual for the Serb – who recorded his 27th successive win at the Australian Open, breaking a record held by Andre Agassi.

Djokovic, who has never lost a final at the Australian Open, forged a path to another when he took the second set 6-1 and again met little resistance in the third to take the set – and the match – with a score of 6-2 in a little over 2 hours and 20 minutes on court.

I have strong memories of 15 years ago, but I wouldn’t have imagined things to have turned out like they have. I’m so blessed and grateful, marvelling and cherishing every moment,” Djokovic said afterwards.

[My level is] great, it’s perfect. It’s 110%,” he added, apparently not feeling the effects of a hamstring injury which had been troubling him earlier in the tournament.

Stefanos, see you in two days!

Of course, you’re not as fresh as in the beginning, but we put in a lot of hours throughout the offseason into fitness to be in a good enough condition to play best of five.

I know what’s expected of me. Experience helps, but on court, moment to moment, it’s a great battle with yourself and your opponent. You can feel the long rallies; we both had heavy legs. I held my nerves at the end of the first set; that was a key moment where I started swinging through the ball more.”

Djokovic’s advancement to the final comes a year on from his contentious deportation from Australia following a vaccination row with Australian immigration officials.

He was initially suspended from entering Australia for a period of three years, though this penalty was rescinded in November.

The Djokovic family was the subject of more off-the-court drama this week, however, after Novak’s father Srdjan Djokovic declined to attend his son’s semifinal match after he was pictured in the company of supporters flying the Russian tricolor following Djokovic’s Wednesday win against Russia’s Andrey Rublev.

Displaying the Russian flag was banned by Tennis Australia officials earlier in the tournament.

Srdjan Djokovic was not present for his son’s Australian Open semifinal in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, did not attend his son’s Australian Open semifinal match against Tommy Paul on Friday after saying he was unknowingly caught up in a pro-Russia demonstration following the Serb’s match with Andrey Rublev earlier this week.

Footage appeared online on Thursday which showed Srdjan Djokovic standing alongside a man carrying a Russian flag with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin on it. The man was also wearing a shirt bearing the ‘Z’ symbol, which is associated with Russian troops in Ukraine.

It was confirmed after Djokovic’s match with Russia’s Andrey Rublev that a small number of supporters had been detained and questioned by Australian authorities for breaking an order banning the display of the Russian tricolor throughout the Grand Slam tennis tournament.

In a statement issued by his representatives, Srdjan Djokovic confirmed that he would be absent from Friday’s match involving his son and added that he had not intended to cause “disruption” at the event.

I am here to support my son only. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption,” he said.

I was outside with Novak’s fans as I have done after all of my son’s matches to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them. I had no intention of being caught up in this.

My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace. So there is no disruption to tonight’s semifinal for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home.

I wish for a great match and I will be cheering for my son, as always.”

The ban on Russian flags at the tournament was implemented following an early-round encounter between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova, with Russian supporters accused of disrupting the match.

Later in the tournament, a match involving Rublev was briefly interrupted when a Ukrainian flag was draped over advertising hoardings. The Russian subsequently complained to the chair umpire that he was receiving verbal abuse from a section of supporters.

Addressing the issue involving Srdjan Djokovic, Tennis Australia said: “After the events of Wednesday night, we acted swiftly to work with police and our security teams to have the instigators of the protest removed from the venue.

Throughout the event we’ve spoken with players and their teams about the importance of not engaging in any activity that causes distress or disruption.

Mr. Srdjan Djokovic has issued a statement confirming that he will not attend tonight’s semifinal.

We will continue to strive for the safety of fans at the event and reiterate our position banning flags from Belarus and Russia.

Tennis Australia stands with the call for peace and an end to war and violent conflict in Ukraine.”

Srdjan Djokovic was not present for his son’s Australian Open semifinal in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, did not attend his son’s Australian Open semifinal match against Tommy Paul on Friday after saying he was unknowingly caught up in a pro-Russia demonstration following the Serb’s match with Andrey Rublev earlier this week.

Footage appeared online on Thursday which showed Srdjan Djokovic standing alongside a man carrying a Russian flag with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin on it. The man was also wearing a shirt bearing the ‘Z’ symbol, which is associated with Russian troops in Ukraine.

It was confirmed after Djokovic’s match with Russia’s Andrey Rublev that a small number of supporters had been detained and questioned by Australian authorities for breaking an order banning the display of the Russian tricolor throughout the Grand Slam tennis tournament.

In a statement issued by his representatives, Srdjan Djokovic confirmed that he would be absent from Friday’s match involving his son and added that he had not intended to cause “disruption” at the event.

I am here to support my son only. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption,” he said.

I was outside with Novak’s fans as I have done after all of my son’s matches to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them. I had no intention of being caught up in this.

My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace. So there is no disruption to tonight’s semifinal for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home.

I wish for a great match and I will be cheering for my son, as always.”

The ban on Russian flags at the tournament was implemented following an early-round encounter between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova, with Russian supporters accused of disrupting the match.

Later in the tournament, a match involving Rublev was briefly interrupted when a Ukrainian flag was draped over advertising hoardings. The Russian subsequently complained to the chair umpire that he was receiving verbal abuse from a section of supporters.

Addressing the issue involving Srdjan Djokovic, Tennis Australia said: “After the events of Wednesday night, we acted swiftly to work with police and our security teams to have the instigators of the protest removed from the venue.

Throughout the event we’ve spoken with players and their teams about the importance of not engaging in any activity that causes distress or disruption.

Mr. Srdjan Djokovic has issued a statement confirming that he will not attend tonight’s semifinal.

We will continue to strive for the safety of fans at the event and reiterate our position banning flags from Belarus and Russia.

Tennis Australia stands with the call for peace and an end to war and violent conflict in Ukraine.”

Karen Khachanov lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in their semifinal in Melbourne

Russia’s remaining hope of men’s title success at the Australian Open came to an end as Karen Khachanov suffered defeat in a four-set battle against Greek rival Stefanos Tsitsipas in their semifinal on Friday.

Khachanov was edged out in the opening set on a tiebreak and lost the second set 4-6 as Tsitsipas took control of the contest at Rod Laver Arena. The Greek also found himself a break up and serving for the match in the third set, before Khachanov threatened a comeback by recapturing the break of serve and winning a tiebreak after saving two match points.

But third seed Tsitsipas again imposed himself in the fourth set with an early break, going on to seal victory 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in a match spanning three hours and 21 minutes.

For 18th seed Khachanov the result means back-to-back disappointment in Grand Slam semifinals after he lost at the same stage of the US Open in September.

Despite the defeat, the 26-year-old can nonetheless reflect on another strong run at a major tournament, with Khachanov becoming just the tenth active player on the ATP Tour to have reached at least the quarterfinal stage of all four Grand Slams.

Khachanov’s performance will also help his push back towards the world’s top ten, having reached a career-high position of eight in the ATP rankings back in 2019.

Tsitsipas, meanwhile, extended his head-to-head record against Khachanov to 6-0, but more importantly is into a second Grand Slam final of his career.

Tsitsipas is into the second Grand Slam final of his career.


©  Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Awaiting the 24-year-old in Sunday’s showpiece in Melbourne could be Novak Djokovic – the man who defeated Tsitsipas in five sets in his maiden appearance in a Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2021.

Djokovic, a record nine-time Australian Open champion, will be heavily fancied to progress when he plays unseeded American Tommy Paul in the second men’s semifinal later on Friday.

Should fourth seed Djokovic and Tsitsipas meet in the final, it would also be a direct battle between the pair for the world number one spot. 


READ MORE: Fans waving Russian flags detained at Australian Open

Karen Khachanov lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in their semifinal in Melbourne

Russia’s remaining hope of men’s title success at the Australian Open came to an end as Karen Khachanov suffered defeat in a four-set battle against Greek rival Stefanos Tsitsipas in their semifinal on Friday.

Khachanov was edged out in the opening set on a tiebreak and lost the second set 4-6 as Tsitsipas took control of the contest at Rod Laver Arena. The Greek also found himself a break up and serving for the match in the third set, before Khachanov threatened a comeback by recapturing the break of serve and winning a tiebreak after saving two match points.

But third seed Tsitsipas again imposed himself in the fourth set with an early break, going on to seal victory 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in a match spanning three hours and 21 minutes.

For 18th seed Khachanov the result means back-to-back disappointment in Grand Slam semifinals after he lost at the same stage of the US Open in September.

Despite the defeat, the 26-year-old can nonetheless reflect on another strong run at a major tournament, with Khachanov becoming just the tenth active player on the ATP Tour to have reached at least the quarterfinal stage of all four Grand Slams.

Khachanov’s performance will also help his push back towards the world’s top ten, having reached a career-high position of eight in the ATP rankings back in 2019.

Tsitsipas, meanwhile, extended his head-to-head record against Khachanov to 6-0, but more importantly is into a second Grand Slam final of his career.

Tsitsipas is into the second Grand Slam final of his career.


©  Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Awaiting the 24-year-old in Sunday’s showpiece in Melbourne could be Novak Djokovic – the man who defeated Tsitsipas in five sets in his maiden appearance in a Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2021.

Djokovic, a record nine-time Australian Open champion, will be heavily fancied to progress when he plays unseeded American Tommy Paul in the second men’s semifinal later on Friday.

Should fourth seed Djokovic and Tsitsipas meet in the final, it would also be a direct battle between the pair for the world number one spot. 


READ MORE: Fans waving Russian flags detained at Australian Open