tennis

Ukraine urges Australian Open to ban Djokovic's father from attending

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Sickening, but not at all surprising. Birds of a feather flock together. Understandable now why some of Djokevics "ultra" fans were seen giving him the fascist salute after his wins in previous rounds.

These dropkicks are the very poster children of mixing sport and politics. Kick them out.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

In the middle of a “war” Ukraine sure has time to get involved in every single instance of social commentary worldwide dont they?

-6 ( +13 / -19 )

Another man was photographed by AFP inside the stadium during Djokovic's match with a T-shirt bearing the pro-war "Z" symbol

I hope those who condemn the mixing of sport and politics condemn the wearing of these kinds of images.

Anything less could be construed as hypocrisy.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

Blacklabel,you and I do not agree on anything ,but the Ukrainlan got more problems,than a tennis event,

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

who condemn the mixing of sport and politics

I condemn it by the participants having a political/social agenda to push.

not the fans or their families or anyone hanging around outside the place where sports is being played.

"It's important for Novak to address this situation," he said. "He should apologize for what has happened, and condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

why does he HAVE to do this? maybe he just doesnt care either way about this issues and just wants to play tennis and be left alone. You know, a participant in sports who is keeping politics out of sports.

1 ( +13 / -12 )

In the middle of a “war” Ukraine sure has time to get involved in every single instance of social commentary worldwide dont they?

What’s your opinion on people wearing the ‘Z’ symbol at a sporting event?

“war”

Do you prefer the word ‘invasion’?

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

UA pidarasi.

this is AUS problem not UA "problem".

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

What’s your opinion on people wearing the ‘Z’ symbol at a sporting event?

I think that person is responsible for what they wear. You want Djokovic to apologize for him too?

If its a free society and if that attire is not banned by the event, then what is the issue?

If the attire is banned somehow, then the person needs to be asked to change or leave, or denied entry in the first place.

Free speech and all.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

I wish all wars happening in the world now can given the same attention and priority.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

I think that person is responsible for what they wear. You want Djokovic to apologize for him too?

Where did I say I wanted Djokovic to apologise for anything at all? I must have missed that.

Interesting that your ideas of free speech don’t apply to participants. Not very free, is it?

Could you lay out why you’d deny these people freedom of speech?

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Serbia has always had close ties with Russia, so the supporters too. Nothing surprising here.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Where did I say I wanted Djokovic to apologise for anything at all? I must have missed that.

the Ambassador certainly does. He must immediately apologize and condemn.

So you dont want him to apologize? ok then great!

Btw, he was playing a Russian at the time, maybe that man is supporting the other player.

Interesting that your ideas of free speech don’t apply to participants. Not very free, is it?

Could you lay out why you’d deny these people freedom of speech?

because we dont need politics mixed into sports by the participants. If you want to do politics, be a politician.

I dont watch sports or entertainment for political messaging or social justice calls. I doubt I am alone. I paid money to watch you swing a racket, or a bat, or to shoot a ball or to pretend to be a super hero in a movie.

Not to use the platform that being good at sports gave you just to hear your mostly uninformed opinion on society.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Oh, Djokovic opponent was Russian.

Otherwise, he will not give any comment on the war. He is not in a position to do that and the Sports Federations do ask athletes to refrain from any comment. The request of the Ukrainian Ambassador is beyond his competency as he should not ask any sport player to take position on the matter

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Ukrainian politicians are acting like a bunch of kids whose toys got taken away.

Stop whining and concentrate on your own job. Of course there will be some ultras who act rebellious. We cant blame the athletes for what their "fans" do.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Lots of these Ukrainian official use to complain about American,that do not care about their misery,they stopped, because American will generally make you feel badder than they are , people that do not care about you or plight,these should be the last people,help you would want

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Free speech Ukrainian style has already been adopted by Western regimes.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

"It's important for Novak to address this situation," he said. "He should apologize for what has happened, and condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

Why? There is absolutely nothing wrong with being pro-Russian and expressing it.

That's a very fair point. I think that flying the flag of one's country during an international sports event is something that every sports fan should be able to do. Using sports to make an ideological statement, like this guy is doing with the 'Z,' is inappropriate.

Do you feel the same way about a non-Ukrainian flying the Ukrainian flag?

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Fascist regimes must be in an extreme panic that they now have to ban visitors for showing up with their own flag during a sporting event thinking this will cancel their presence, besides, does not Ukraine govt have a major corruption problem to resolve before acting as the ultimate morality god of the world?

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

The world has turned totally bonkers. Either watch the tennis or dont, lol

4 ( +10 / -6 )

How’s it legal to wear a Z shirt in Australia? It’s the sign of invading a country, then putting a bullet in a Ukrainian civilian’s head and throwing them in a ditch, or raping and killing a Ukrainian woman. They are the same as the nazis, and it’s a sickening overlook from the Aussie government once again

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

Blacklabel

In the middle of a “war” Ukraine sure has time to get involved in every single instance of social commentary worldwide dont they?

Hell yes, its so tiresome. Its like watching Starship Troopers on a loop. Zelensky and/or his shills are everywhere from sports games to Hollyweird red carpet capers.

I fully expect him and Bono to sing a duet soon.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

I automatically assumed that the guy in the pic was Djokovic's dad, until I read the caption: "A man wearing Russia's pro-war "Z" symbol watches..."

Why doesn't the article show a picture of Djokovic's dad doing what they say he did?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I finally saw what all the fuss is about:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-27/australian-open-tennis-sport-novak-djokovic-father-russian-flag/101898320

And it really is quite insignificant. Seems that he just stopped next to someone holding a Russian flag to pose for a quick pic, and then continued on his way...

He never touched the flag. Why are people making a big fuss about it?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Seems that he just stopped next to someone...

...in a Z t-shirt...

.... holding a Russian flag....

...with Vladimort's face on it....

..... to pose for a quick pic, and then continued on his way...

...after muttering, Long live the russians.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

..... to pose for a quick pic, and then continued on his way...

...after muttering, Long live the russians.

Are you sure? He did mutter something, and then someone else shouted something in Russian that ended with "Russia". I think the "Long live the Russians" subtitle referred to that other person's shouting, not the dad's muttering.

Anyway, long live the Russians...

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Free speech and all.

blah, blah, blah

most people here complaining about ‘free speech’ seem to be the same people supporting Russia’s invasion.

you seem to be more concerned with people losing their right to free speech, than people losing their homes or their lives.

Instead of free speech, what about freedom !? which Ukrainians do not have at the moment.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

I live in Japan and support its athletes when they play other nations. Shouldn't I?

if you tried that in 1942, You probably would’ve been killed.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Anyway, long live the Russians...

idiot !

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Shut up Ukraine myob!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Sorry tell you all that it will not happen. It would in USA because of their interpretation of freedom is for the individual and not the collective. Australian is democracy where majority rule were you can pass law that the majority are for like proper firearms laws try doing that in USA where the majority want semi auto ban but the individual freedom prevent logic and promote stupidity.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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