"Fiction meets reality"; "Doesn't change things" - Tennis fans divided after journalist clarifies Novak Djokovic's father's words to pro-Russian mob

In a new development in the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic's father at the Australian Open, it is now believed that Srdjan Djokovic did not utter a pro-Russian chant. A clarification regarding the issue from a leading Serbian tennis journalist left the tennis fan community divided over Srdjan's innocence in the matter.It all began when the Serbian tennis legend's father Srdjan was seen posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags with the Russian president's face on them and wearing t-shirts of the 'Z' symbol that has become an emblem of Russia's war on Ukraine. He was then heard uttering a phrase in Serbian, which was reportedly translated as &quot;Long live the Russians.&quot;After a huge uproar over the same throughout Thursday, it was earlier on Friday that Serbian journalist Sasa Ozmo, who is at the 2023 Australian Open, declared that Srdjan's words were taken out of meaning. He translated Djokovic Sr's words to mean - &quot;Cheers, guys.&quot;&quot;I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is 'Živeli, ljudi', which in this context translates to 'cheers, guys' and means 'goodbye' at the same time,&quot; Ozmo clarified on Twitter.Sa&scaron;a Ozmo@ozmo_sasaI have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen973198I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpenReacting to the same, many fans stormed out in defense of Djokovic and his father, criticizing the wrongly translated narration in the first place. At the same time, there were those who opined that the clarification still does not entirely justify the 62-year-old's actions.&quot;When your fiction meets reality,&quot; a fan wrote on Twitter in support of the Serb.natmenjhart19@19Menjhart@Bi08101657 @jon_wertheim @AustralianOpen When your fiction meets reality 🏻twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Sa&scaron;a Ozmo@ozmo_sasaI have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen1198I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen@Bi08101657 @jon_wertheim @AustralianOpen When your fiction meets reality 👇🏻twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…&quot;It doesn't change things. Djockovic's father posed for a photo with them in Putin's flag and shirt with the Z logo. How do you explain this?&quot; another fan stated.Stella Danì 🇺🇦@danstellina@ozmo_sasa It doesn't change things. Djockovic's father posed for a photo with them in Putin's flag and shirt with the Z logo. How do you explain this?9@ozmo_sasa It doesn't change things. Djockovic's father posed for a photo with them in Putin's flag and shirt with the Z logo. How do you explain this?Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans over the latest development in the controversy involving the nine-time Australian Open champion:Pierre@pierrestanley45All part of the Media 'mis-narrative' - ignore. twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Sa&scaron;a Ozmo@ozmo_sasaI have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen1199I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpenAll part of the Media 'mis-narrative' - ignore. twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Val Febbo@VFebbo96Okay, but cheers guys can mean a million things, no matter what language. (I happen to have a part Croatian background and have heard it in many circumstances)It’s a moot point.The fact that Srdjan’s actions are being defended in any way is baffling. Embarrassing. #AusOpen twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Sa&scaron;a Ozmo@ozmo_sasaI have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen1199I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpenOkay, but cheers guys can mean a million things, no matter what language. (I happen to have a part Croatian background and have heard it in many circumstances)It’s a moot point.The fact that Srdjan’s actions are being defended in any way is baffling. Embarrassing. #AusOpen twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…KEER 🐺 🐊@kenialachula2Louder for the people on the front. So called journalists #AusOpen #NoleFam twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Sa&scaron;a Ozmo@ozmo_sasaI have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen976199I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpenLouder for the people on the front. So called journalists #AusOpen #NoleFam twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…🦋 Yolita🐊@Yolitatennis@ozmo_sasa Too late, Sa&scaron;a. But you could still tag all your colleagues, especially the Brits, because the lies made all the main newspapers. They may want to correct the information and post a clarification.1426@ozmo_sasa Too late, Sa&scaron;a. But you could still tag all your colleagues, especially the Brits, because the lies made all the main newspapers. They may want to correct the information and post a clarification.Claudia P. 🦋🦋❤️💚Hidden Blade 无名 propaganda acc@deetsy@ozmo_sasa Well he still saw the face on the flag, didn't he?7@ozmo_sasa Well he still saw the face on the flag, didn't he?Clean the House 🌊@FlipBlue2022@ozmo_sasa Ok, but who was he hanging around with and what were those people saying? Does the family have any response to the people who are deeply hurt by what happened? Radio silence makes it feel like they don’t care.8@ozmo_sasa Ok, but who was he hanging around with and what were those people saying? Does the family have any response to the people who are deeply hurt by what happened? Radio silence makes it feel like they don’t care.nolénutini@themissprecyBetter late than never. Let’s spread the word. twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Sa&scaron;a Ozmo@ozmo_sasaI have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen7200I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpenBetter late than never. Let’s spread the word. twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…#OkBoomers🥉@MelbTigerTalkHell of a difference between ‘long live the Russians’ &amp; ‘Cheers, guys’. twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Sa&scaron;a Ozmo@ozmo_sasaI have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpen1200I have seen a lot of incorrect translations yesterday, what Srdjan Djokovic says is “Živeli, ljudi”, which in this context translates to “cheers, guys” and means “goodbye” at the same time. #AustralianOpenHell of a difference between ‘long live the Russians’ &amp; ‘Cheers, guys’. twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…Victoria Azarenka comes out in defense of Novak Djokovic over controversy involving his fatherThe nine-time champion in action at the 2023 Australian Open.In light of the controversy, Victoria Azarenka urged the media at the Australian Open and others not to drag Novak Djokovic into the matter as he directly has nothing to do with it. When Azarenka, being a pro tennis player herself, was asked about her viewpoint on how the incident would have affected the Serb, she expressed her frustration at the same.&quot;I don't know what it has to do with Novak at all, to be fair, so,&quot; Azarenka said in a post-match press conference after her semi-final.&quot;I don't know what you guys want us to do about it. Like talk about it? I don't know what's the goal here that it's continuously brought up. These incidents that in my opinion have nothing to do with players, but somehow you keep dragging players into it,&quot; continued Azarenka.Meanwhile, tournament organizers reacted by issuing a statement wherein they confirmed that players and their teams were &quot;briefed and reminded&quot; over involving themselves in situations that could cause disruptions on the grounds of the Australian Open.

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