Ukraine urges Australian Open to ban Djokovic’s father

HONOUR AND DIGNITY

Russia’s embassy in Australia rapidly hit again on the ban, calling it “one other instance of unacceptable politicisation of sports activities”.

Simeon Boikov, who runs the YouTube channel that posted the flag footage, urged Russian supporters to descend on Melbourne Park forward of Djokovic’s quarter-final match in opposition to Andrey Rublev.

“That is about honour and dignity now. That is an assault on honour and dignity. This has acquired nothing to do with the warfare,” he mentioned in a video message.

Match organiser Tennis Australia mentioned on Thursday that it will proceed to work with safety to implement entry guidelines, with out instantly addressing the incident with Djokovic’s father.

“Gamers and their groups have been briefed and reminded of the occasion coverage concerning flags and symbols and to keep away from any state of affairs that has the potential to disrupt,” it mentioned.

“We proceed to work carefully with occasion safety and regulation enforcement companies.”

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine final 12 months, Russian and Belarusian gamers have usually competed beneath a impartial white flag as independents, as is the case on the Australian Open.