Aussies beef up security after Djokovic win marred by Putin flag
SECURITY is expected to be tightened at the Australian Open over finals weekend after Novak Djokovic’s presence sparked another heckler incident yesterday, plus displays of pro-Russia sentiment among his fans. A Russian flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on was unfurled on the steps of Rod Laver Arena after Djokovic made it through to the semi-finals. Another of his supporters sat in the front row and unveiled a T-shirt with a large ‘Z’ on it, an unofficial emblem of the Russian army. This was despite the nine-time champion playing a Russian, Andrey Rublev, who he crushed 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 as the 35-year-old marched on towards another title. Later a picture emerged of Djokovic signing something for the man in the ‘Z’ shirt, though by then he had covered it up. Afterwards a group of fans chanted ‘Russia, Serbia’ in a reminder of the two countries’ close cultural ties, and the sympathy some Serbs have for Putin’s war in Ukraine. ‘Four people in the crowd leaving the stadium revealed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards,’ said Tennis Australia. ‘Victoria Police intervened and are questioning them. The safety of everyone is our priority and we work closely with security.’ For his part Djokovic was again unhappy with being heckled by one individual, and after the first set complained to British umpire James Keothavong. There has been an unusually charged atmosphere at his matches after the events of 12 months ago, when he was detained and then deported after legal wrangling. This tournament is a volatile intersection, which sees fervent support for Djokovic added to fringe elements of the Serbian community at a time of turmoil in Europe. Further feeding into it is the presence of two Russian-born players in the semi-finals, Elena Rybakina and Karen Khachanov, plus two Belarusians, Victoria Azarenka and Aryna
Sabalenka. Four barrackers were thrown out of Djokovic’s second-round match, but the one in the Rublev match was allowed to remain as he quietened down. ‘If somebody steps over the line, making comments that are not related to support of the other player, he just wants to provoke and insult, then it is something I react to,’ said Djokovic. The Serb had asked Keothavong during the match: ‘Can you tell the front guy to shut up or not? Every single point, you’re not reacting. I don’t mind if he is supporting Rublev, but for three or four times in a row he has said things about me.’ Djokovic’s semi-final opponent tomorrow is world No 35 Tommy Paul, who ended the breakout run of fellow American Ben Shelton yesterday, 7-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Britain’s last representative in the main events, Neal Skupski, was eliminated from both the men’s and mixed doubles.