29 May 2023 , 22:03
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Novak Djokovic has plunged himself into hot water in Kosovo after writing a politically charged message on a TV camera at the French Open.
The Serbia tennis star, 36, risked outrage by writing: "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia! Stop violence," in the aftermath of his first-round victory over American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Paris. Djokovic's message comes amid a period of increasing tension in the Balkans, with the Serbian army on alert after clashes between police and Kosovo's Serb minority, leaving 10 people injured.
Speaking to Serbian media following his opening victory, Djokovic explained the motivation behind his stance, saying: "As a Serb, it hurts me what is happening in Kosovo, our people have been expelled from the municipalities. I feel the responsibility as a public figure to show support, and I especially feel it as the son of a man who was born in Kosovo, this is the least I could do.
"I feel an obligation to show support for our people and all of Serbia. I think many do not know what the future holds for Kosovo, but it is important to show harmony in situations like this. I hear there was a lot of criticism on social media. I don't know if someone will punish me or something like that, but I would do it again.
"I am against wars and conflicts of any kind. Kosovo is our hearth, stronghold, the centre of the most important events, the biggest battle took place there, the most monasteries. There are many reasons why I wrote this."
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The French Open responded to Djokovic's actions in a statement which read: "There are no official Grand Slam rules on what players can or cannot say. The FFT (French Federation of Tennis) will not be making any statement or taking any stance on this matter."
Novak Djokovic won his first match at the French Open but was soon embroiled in controversy (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Have your say! Will Novak Djokovic win the French Open? Join the debate in the comments section.
Djokovic's 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-1) win on Monday has set up a second-round tie with seasoned Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. The world No.3's next match will have added attention given the political backdrop.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a decision which the International Tennis Federation recognises. Serbia, though, still claim it to be theirs and fresh clashes began recently when police moved to install new ethnic Albanian mayors in the wake of last month's controversial elections which were boycotted by Kosovo's Serbs.