Don’t drag Novak Djokovic’s Dad Srdjan into the Russian flag controversy at the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic's father Srdjan Djokovic was captured posing with Russians at the Australian Open and the Serb is facing the heat for it.
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Srdjan Djokovic and Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic continues to be haunted, not hunted, at the 2023 Australian Open. As the dust and grime settle over an eminently forgettable Grand Slam in Melbourne, one thing is certain, no player other than the Serb could have handled these issues better. To say that Novak was at the receiving end would mean he faced problems on the tennis court.
No, despite his hamstring injury and tight taping at the start of the Major, he fought bravely. All his opponents were victims of his power-packed game, which included missile serves and strong winners off the ground. However, Novak was dragged into multiple controversies. Even his bottle from which he drinks water to stay hydrated has been in controversy. Would Novak be foolish to spike his drink? No way.
The crowds have been working him up, again, needlessly. His toilet breaks were being mocked, and even the chair umpire was being stupid. These are just samples of what Novak has been subjected to at the AO. Now comes the latest, where Novak’s father Srdjan Djokovic has been “captured” posing with Russians and a picture of madman Vladimir Putin.
These days, you can do anything to create trouble. Australia has been unable to handle the boorish crowds and flag issue. To assume Novak’s father is a Russian sympathizer is wrong. This is a creation of the Western media, where the British takes pride in lampooning people. This time, Srdjan has been caught in the crossfire.
Novak Djokovic not unknown to wars
The Russia versus Ukraine war has stretched far too long. More than the actual damage in the two countries, the collateral damage has been high. To portray Novak’s Dad as a Putin fan or sympathizer is wrong, with that Z flag. Just go jog the readers’ memory, for all those in this generation talking about the war between Russia and Ukraine and Belarus also involved, there is a lot of history which needs to be read.
Any athlete who gets caught in the crossfire is a victim for no fault of his or her. There are allegations made by Ukraine’s sports minister that Russian athletes are killing Ukrainians! For its part, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has also come out with a statement on Wednesday where it says Russians cannot compete in the Paris Olympics in 2024 under their own flag.
Back to the Djokovic family, not many would know, Serbia too was engaged in a four-year-long war with Croatia. Erstwhile Yugoslavia broke up and the war between Serbs and Croats was maddening in the period from 1991 to 1995. In those days, Serbs and Croats were at each other’s throats, like it is today between Russia and Ukraine.
Imagine, Novak Djokovic is a Serb and his coach Goran Ivanisevic is a Croat. Twenty-eight years ago, this could not be possible where a Serb would be coached by a Croat. Probably, Goran and Novak would have been going for the jugular at that time in the 90s. This is just an example of what the Croatia versus Serbia war was at that time.
The two nations have their own identity now and there is no war. Back then, losses in Croatia versus Serbia war were massive, in terms of lives lost and financial losses. Just as Serbs and Croats are friends now, with Novak and Goran sharing a good relationship, it is a matter of time before Russians and Ukrainians are forced to bury the hatchet.
Till then, dragging people like Srdjan Djokovic is wrong into this controversy over Russia. He is a Serbian, 100 percent. In case fans were not aware, Goran Ivanisevic’s Dad’s name was also Srdjan. Strange world, is it?
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S Kannan
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