Novak Djokovic revealed that he was hurt by his father’s absence from the Australian Open finals.
Djokovic and his family had decided that his father, Srdjan Djokovic, would not be watching Novak’s match from the courtside following controversy. Earlier in the tournament, his father was seen posing with fans who were holding the Russian flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on it.
The seat next to his mother, which was usually occupied by his dad remained empty.
“We both agreed that it would probably be better that he’s not there,” Djokovic said after his win.
“That hurts him and me a lot because these are special, unique moments that who knows if they are repeated again.”
“It was not easy for him. I saw him after the match and he was not feeling his best, let’s say. He was happy to hug me, but I could see he was a bit sad.”
“In the end, we have a happy ending,” the 35-year-old Djokovic added.
Srdjan decided to skip the finals after he received calls, most notably from the Ukrainian Government to be banned from Melbourne Park after his apparent show of support for Russia.
Ukrainian Prime Minister to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, had called for the older Djokovic to be stripped of his Melbourne Park pass after the incident.
Djokovic has earlier defended his father saying that it was a “misinterpretation” and that no harm was meant.
