Novak Djokovic's father was filmed with fans waving pro-Russian flags during the Australian Open, scenes described as "shameful" by the Ukrainian ambassador in Canberra.
After Djokovic's quarterfinal match against Russia's Andrey Rublev last night, a group of fans waved Russian flags, including one with the face of President Vladimir Putin, near Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena as they chanted pro-Russian slogans .
The Australian Tennis Federation said four people "displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards" at Melbourne Park, before being removed by police.
A video later posted on an Australian pro-Russian YouTube channel shows Srdjan Djokovic, the father of the Serbian player, posing with the man waving the flag with Putin's face.
All with the caption: "Novak Djokovic's father makes bold political statement."
Serbian sports journalists confirmed that it was indeed Djokovic's father.
Spectators are prohibited from displaying Russian or Belarusian flags during the tournament.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, had called for action to be taken after several of these flags were seen in crowds last week.
"It's a complete catalog. Among the Serbian flags are: a Russian flag, Putin, the Z symbol, the so-called flag of the Donetsk People's Republic," he tweeted with a link to the video.
"It's really shameful," he complained to the Australian Federation and the organizers of the Open.