The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) is disappointed that Tennis Australia has made no attempt to penalise Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, who was filmed on Wednesday night posing with Z-clad men bearing a Russian flag and saying “Long live Russia”, nor to demand an apology from Novak Djokovic for the behavior of members of his entourage.
Stefan Romaniw OAM, AFUO Co-Chair said today “Srdjan Djokovic’s comments that he ‘had no intention of being caught up in this’ and was just ‘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’ are insulting and inadequate.”
“They don’t address that Srdjan intentionally violated the well-known rules established by Tennis Australia banning the Russian flag at the Australian Open. He stood next to a flag with Putin’s face on it. How could he not have thought ‘that’s not a good idea’?” he added.
“It looks like his statement today was just an attempt to appease the thousands of fans disgusted with his behaviour and support for Russia.
“We are also disappointed that Novak Djokovic has not taken responsibility for his entourage and made a public statement denouncing his father’s actions and expressing support for Tennis Australia’s rules and policies,” said Romaniw.
“As we said in a letter sent earlier today to Tennis Australia, we urge the Australian Open to make a principled stand to protect the image, reputation and integrity of tennis in Australia.
“They need to provide a guarantee that if Novak Djokovic gets into the final, Srdjan Djokovic will be banned from attending Rod Laver Arena.
“The actions of Srdjan Djokovic have brought the tournament into disrepute and have provided a platform for promoting a brutal, illegal invasion which has killed thousands of innocent civilians, displaced millions, and caused untold devastation and destruction,” he said.
“The Australian Open should act swiftly to ensure such actions are appropriately disciplined, and that these opportunities are not provided again. Otherwise, it looks like Tennis Australia accepts that tennis tournaments can be used to promote genocide and war,” he added.
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