A year ago he was treated like an illegal immigrant: not vaccinated against Covid, he was locked up in a hotel for immigrants and his story became the biggest topic of debate around the world.
Today Novak Djokovic in slippers reaches the final of the Australian Open, after getting rid of the American Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 . On Sunday he will face Greek Tsitsipas, who beat Russian Kachanov in four sets.
The Serbian is hunting for his tenth title in Melbourne, and given the ease with which he got rid of his opponents so far, he will start as a great favorite against Tsitsipas, who is also having an excellent tournament.
Yet this year too the Serbian champion has to respond to the controversies, concerning his father who was immortalized while waving, together with some Russian fans, a flag with the face of Vladimir Putin .
« My father does not support any war, I hope he can be present at the final », said Nole. Father Srdjan in fact decided today not to attend the match so as "not to disturb" after the Ukrainian ambassador had asked for his accreditation to be cancelled.
The episode, said Novak Djokovic, " was given a wrong interpretation. My father, as he himself explained, went, like after every game, to meet my fans, thank them and take pictures. But it all started with a bad translation in some media of his words. Our family has gone through the horrors of war and all we want is peace ."
The Kazakh Rybakina, reigning Wimbledon champion, and the Belarusian Sabalenka will compete in the women's final.
(Unioneonline/L)
