Ukraine’s ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko has demanded the ban of Srdjan Djokovic, father of tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, from the Australian Open.

Srdjan Djokovic was seen posing for pictures with fans, waving Russian flags emblazoned with President Vladimir Putin’s face on it. A person standing next to Djokovic was also seen wearing a shirt with the Z symbol of the Russian Military.

His actions were met with strong criticism and outrage from the people. “He should be stripped of his accreditation,” Myroshnychenko said. In a later statement, Djokovic apologized, claiming he was in Melbourne “to support my son only,” and “had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption.”

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Who is Srdjan Djokovic?

Srdjan Djokovic was born on 25 April 1961 in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo to Stanka and Vladimir Djokovic. He grew up in the nearby town of Zvecan. He has a sister, Jelena, and a younger brother, Goran.

After completing his high school, he moved to Belgrade to study law, although he did not finish his studies. He worked as a ski coach in the winter resorts in Kopaonik and Brezovica. He met his future wife Dijana Djokovic during this time.

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Djokovic is a former professional skier and ski coach. He also owns and operates the Red Bull pizza restaurant and a sports goods shop in the mountains of Serbia. He has also played football with the KF Trepca club, although there are no substantial pieces of evidence supporting the report.

In 2011, he attempted to unseat Slobodan Živojinović, the president of the Tennis Federation of Serbia. He ultimately failed to do so. In 2022, he criticized the Australian Government for not letting his son Novak enter the country due to COVID-19 public health rules.

Djokovic is married to Dijana Djokovic. They have three sons, Novak Djokovic (1987), Marko Djokovic (1991), and Djordje Djokovic (1995). All three of them are tennis players.