Djokovic Says His Father Was 'Misused' by Fans With Russian Flags

Djokovic Says , His Father Was 'Misused' by , Fans With Russian Flags .

Djokovic Says , His Father Was 'Misused' by , Fans With Russian Flags .

Novak Djokovic's response comes after his father was caught on video with fans carrying Russian flags at the Australian Open.

The video set off controversy as deaths due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine continue to mount... .

... and the war continues to destabilize the geopolitical balance in Europe and beyond.

[My father] was passing through, made a photo, it has escalated.

He was misused in this situation by this group of people, Novak Djokovic, Tennis Champion, via Reuters.

I can't be angry with him or upset because I can say it was not his fault.

He went out to celebrate with my fans, Novak Djokovic, Tennis Champion, via Reuters.

After that, he felt bad and he knew how that's going to reflect on me, the whole media pressure and everything that has happened in the last 24-48 hours, Novak Djokovic, Tennis Champion, via Reuters.

My father, my whole family and myself have been through several wars during the 90s, Novak Djokovic, Tennis Champion, via Reuters.

We are against the war, we never will support any violence or any war.

, Novak Djokovic, Tennis Champion, via Reuters.

We know how devastating that is for the family, for people in any country that is going through the war, Novak Djokovic, Tennis Champion, via Reuters.

Djokovic reiterated that his father assumed he was taking photos with Serbian fans.

My father was passing through.

There was a lot of Serbian flags around.

That's what he thought.

He thought he was taking a photo with somebody from Serbia.

That's it.

He moved on, Novak Djokovic, Tennis Champion, via Reuters.

Djokovic's father stated that rather than cause more controversy, he will not attend the final in person.

So there is no disruption to tonight's semi-final for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home, Srdjan Djokovic, Father of Novak, via Reuters.

Djokovic is matched up against Stefanos Tsitsipas for the Australian final on Jan.

29.

Djokovic is matched up against Stefanos Tsitsipas for the Australian final on Jan.

29