Novak Djokovic's dad Srdjan has been criticised after posing with a group of Vladimir Putin supporters at the Australian Open. Djokovic is back competing in Melbourne 12 months on from his COVID-19 vaccine saga, which saw him kicked out of last year's event and deported from Australia.
One year on it seems controversy continues to follow the former world No. 1, after his father was pictured with pro-Putin Russians outside the Rod Laver Arena. In the clip the Russian supporters are seen chanting Putin's name, whilst also parading their flag.
Mr Djokovic is then seen posing with a pro-Putin supporter who is sporting the banned military 'Z' symbol on his chest, before the father of the nine-time champion allegedly comments: "Long live Russia."
Russian flags and supporters have been banned from the event in Melbourne following the Eastern European country's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Despite this there was a large presence for Russian national Andrey Rublev's quarter-final match with Djokovic.
Russian fans were also captured inside the arena - sporting the Z symbol and their nation's flag during Rublev's clash with the 2021 champion. Following the controversy, a statement was released by Tennis Australia, condemning the Putin support.
It read: "A small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted. One patron is now assisting police with unrelated matters.
"Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt. We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies."
