Novak Djokovic: Dad's Russia controversy was 'not pleasant' but a 'misinterpretation' - BBC

Jan 27, 2023

Last updated on .From the section Tennis

'We are against the war' - Djokovic

Australian Open 2023 Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 16-29 January Coverage: Commentary every day from 07:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 'Tennis Breakfast' live from Melbourne, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the BBC Sport website & app

Novak Djokovic says it was "not pleasant" to deal with the controversy surrounding his father Srdjan before his Australian Open semi-final victory.

Srdjan Djokovic watched his son's 7-5 6-1 6-2 win over American Tommy Paul at home to avoid causing "disruption".

On Wednesday he was pictured at the tournament with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

"He [my dad] had no intention to support any kind of war initiative," said Djokovic.

"It's unfortunate the misinterpretation of what happened escalated."

Djokovic's father was photographed with the Putin supporters after his son's quarter-final win over Russia's Andrey Rublev.

Srdjan Djokovic (left of the centre three) was filmed with supporters of Russia president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday night

The images also featured a man wearing a T-shirt printed with the letter ' Z' - a pro-war symbol of President Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking after his win over Paul, and for the first time since the incident, Djokovic said he "could not be angry" with his father.

Djokovic said his father was walking through a gathering of the player's fans outside Rod Laver Arena and had been "misused" by the Russian fans before quickly continuing past.

"There was a lot of Serbian flags around.

That's what he thought.

He thought he was making a photo with somebody from Serbia.