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Novak Djokovic‘s dad was a glaring absentee from Rod Laver Arena as the Serbian champion stormed to victory at the Australian Open on Sunday night.
Srdjan steered clear of the limelight after posing for photographs with Vladimir Putin supporters.
He was pictured with spectators holding a Russian flag featuring Putin’s face following Djokovic’s quarter-final win over Andrey Rublev on Wednesday night.
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A commonly held view after the emergence of footage was that Srdjan said “long live the Russians”, but Djokovic and Serbian journalists have claimed that translation was incorrect.
Srdjan insisted that he thought he was greeting Djokovic supporters, not pro-Putin activists.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley backed Djokovic’s father.
“I think there’s been some misinterpretation about what Djokovic’s dad did and some incorrect reporting on what he said,” Tiley said.
“I am of the view that it would have been better if he (Djokovic senior) wasn’t in that situation.
“But he had every day been going out to the Serbian community (outside centre court) and congratulating them for coming and supporting his son. And that’s fair enough, right?
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“That’s what’s great about the Australian Open. There’s a lot of energy and people have a good time.
“And it was just a few individuals in that group that ruined it for everyone, and they’ve since been removed from the site and are not allowed back.
“The things that I read that was claimed he had said is what he indicated he did not say, and I believe him.”
Djokovic clinched a record-extending 10th Australian Open title on Sunday night.
He also equalled Rafael Nadal’s record mark of 22 grand slam crowns.
The 35-year-old will pinch the world No.1 mantle from 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz when the ATP rankings are recalculated on Monday.
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