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During the match between Novak Djokovic Y andrei rublevsome people in the crowd showed pro-Russian flags with the face of Vladimir Putin, and forced the local police to intervene. Later, a video posted on YouTube showed Novak’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, poses with the man holding the flag with Putin’s face on it..
In Melbourne, according to the regulation imposed by the organizers of the Australian Open, people in the crowd are not allowed to display Russian or Belarusian flags during the tournament. Victoria Azarenka was questioned about the incident and answered questions from journalists.
She said, «There’s news here from who? You’re talking about it now and I gather from this that it’s a subject you want to keep bringing up over and over again. I don’t know what you want me to say.» I don’t understand what this has to do with Djokovic, really.
Today I spoke with one of the security people, I’ve known him for years, and he explained what happened. I don’t know what you want us players to do about it. I don’t know what your objective is, these incidents have nothing to do with athletes and you continue to involve us.
Any answer you give will be used and distorted. What worries me is that real things are happening in the world. I am a gamer and you are asking me things that are not in my control. If it’s a provocative question, you can tell the story however you want.»
Azarenka at the 2023 Australian Open
Victoria Azarenka’s extraordinary career at the Australian Open ended in the semifinals.
The Belarusian player was unable to beat Elena Rybakina and lost by the score of (4) 6-7, 3-6. She said after the match: «It’s a tough loss to take right now. I had a lot of chances, not converting them was decisive. I can’t say I’m proud of my game, but I’m happy that I expressed this level in a Grand Slam.
I’m proud of the way I fought, but my tennis fell short in the deciding moments today. It’s hard right now, but in a couple of hours I’ll have a different view of my month in Australia. I was handling his serve very well, then I just couldn’t adjust. She served very well.»
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