Novak Djokovic urged to act after 'disgusting' video shocks tennis
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT
The tennis world has called on Novak Djokovic to act after a video emerged of a coach allegedly hitting and kicking his daughter in terrifying scenes during practice.
This week, a video circulated online after anti-violence advocate Igor Juric posted a clip of a young tennis player returning to the side of the court with her father waiting during a training session in Belgrade, Serbia.
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The father then starts to allegedly assault his daughter, before she is thrown to the ground.
Tennis great Pam Shriver quickly condemned the actions and called for Serbian tennis icon Djokovic to intervene if he is able to help.
"OMG we all need to report and press charges against this kind of horrible abuse," she wrote in reaction to the video.
"Let's ask for Nova Djokovic to help behind the scenes. We all need to work together to stop abuse.
"Igor thanks for doing your part."
Let’s ask for @DjokerNole to help behind the scenes. We all need to work together to stop abuse. Igor thanks for doing your part.
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) October 30, 2022
Djokovic has not responded to the event and is currently in Bercy for the Paris Masters.
Juric said he was aware of the man's identity in the video and would be filing a complaint to the police.
And the uproar in the tennis community has been swift.
Tennis community condemns ugly video
Aussie tennis star Daria Saville blasted the incident and called for anyone suffering from such violence to report it.
"This girl is going to be broken forever," she wrote.
"If you think someone is getting physically or mentally abused please support them and encourage them to talk to someone who can help."
Australian coach Roger Rasheed blasted the scenes and alluded to the sad reality that this isn't an isolated incident.
This girl is going to be broken forever 💔 If you think someone is getting physically or mentally abused please support them and encourage them to talk to someone who can help. Offer to help them find a local domestic violence agency or offer to go the police. https://t.co/5JeDumZ4hR
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) October 31, 2022
"I feel sick looking at this," he wrote.
"The sad thing is there would be many situations behind closed doors - it's criminal behaviour."
Spanish World No.12 Paula Badosa also weighed-in on the drama.
"Does someone know who is the player," she asked.
Serena Williams' former coach Coach Patrick Mourtatoglou also blasted the behaviour.
"This is absolutely unacceptable. Horrible," he added.
"No other words."
This girl is going to be broken forever 💔 If you think someone is getting physically or mentally abused please support them and encourage them to talk to someone who can help. Offer to help them find a local domestic violence agency or offer to go the police. https://t.co/5JeDumZ4hR
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) October 31, 2022
This girl is going to be broken forever 💔 If you think someone is getting physically or mentally abused please support them and encourage them to talk to someone who can help. Offer to help them find a local domestic violence agency or offer to go the police. https://t.co/5JeDumZ4hR
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) October 31, 2022
This is absolutely unacceptable. Horrible. No other word.
We have to eradicate any kind of abuse on children whether they are physical or psychological.
It touches every sector of our civil society. Not only tennis. Let’s think how we can eradicate it in our sport.— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) October 31, 2022
Does someone know who is the player?
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) October 31, 2022
I FEEL SICK looking at that.
The sad thing is there would be many situations behind close doors- it’s criminal behavior.— roger rasheed (@roger_rasheed) October 31, 2022
Utterly disgusting. Well done for sharing it. Let’s hope action happens. That man must be exposed.
— Carlos Sabugueiro (@Carlos230567) October 31, 2022
The Minister of Internal Affairs in Belgrade confirmed they arrested and have charged a man believed to be in the video.
The man, of Chinese origin, was taken before court and is expected to face charges.
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