"The fact that the father of the most famous tennis player in the world is supporting Putin, it's not good. It doesn't look good [for Novak] either," the ambassador told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. "He has to address this question."
"Melbourne and Victoria are on the world's stage and our reputation as a major events capital is on the line. It isn't good enough for the State Government to avoid responsibility and buck pass to others. "It detracts from everything this tournament is trying to do and [now] we are not talking about the tennis. Novak must be devastated because it is just another thing he has to deal with," Smith said.
Russian flags and other items bearing Russian or Belarusian symbols are banned at Melbourne Park following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Good on him.
If you’re Russian then what’s the issue?
So what!
👏🇷🇺👏🇷🇺👏🇷🇺
I’ve realised that anything the propaganda media is against, I am for. Thanks for highlighting your hatred of Russia. It made me investigate this war further, & realise it is another US money laundering war. Billions of western taxpayer funds are being funnelled through Ukraine.
How dare the news bother a man about having an opinion when they are every day selling us the worst of humanity opinion on how they want us to think and be- Russia is not the instigator but they will not bowl down the corrupt sole selling left - we have our eyes open
Russia Russia Russia 🤣
So interesting the scale between reporting on the Djokovic’s VS Bill Gates. Have the Djokovic’s had any human rights trials against them? Visited Island of a convicted pedophile?
Disgusting 🤮
Even more reason to like him
No Australia day celebrations at AO but instead support Russia Z crew 👌 I expect no action from useless TILLEY ✅ Give NO state money to this tournament ever
Freedom of speech! He's doing nothing wrong.
It's not just a flag waving. It's more like as if people were wearing swastika in 1943
I'm with him 'long live the Russians' You know how I know? 100% KNOW that the Russians are the good guys? I know this because if you, the fake news media, say Russia are the bad guys then they MUST (obviously) be the good guys. :) it's very simple.
Politics and sports shouldn’t go hand in hand! Too much politics in our daily life day in and day out! When we see sports we want to enjoy it without any political influence.
The Australian Open has become not much more than a political outlet for furthering a narrative. Given not all players have the same rights to things like fan support (which can be a factor in winning) the trophy seems meaningless now. Will no longer be watching.
So once again cancel independent views.....
So racism against Russians is ok?
Wow where not all sheep
Well done for ruining the hype of the AustralianOpen ... I hope you lose the rights after all the bulls*t, why did Novak...Why did Kokkinakis...What about Azarenka & what she said (U provoke it). Why can't you just stick to the beauty of the game & the talented players. SAD!
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