CNN
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Serbian Tennis The star Novak Djokovic stands by its decision to send a political message about Kosovo at the French Open.
After his first round victory on Monday, Djokovic wrote “Kosovo is. [heart symbol] Stop the violence on the TV camera lens in response to the violent clashes in Kosovo, Serbia.
Stress have been growing in Kosovo for the past week.which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Protesters clashed on Monday over the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in a disputed election.
Dozens of NATO peacekeepers were injured Monday when Serbian protesters tried to prevent newly elected mayors from taking office in the northern municipality of Zvican.
Djokovic, whose father was born in Kosovo, said this week that he “feels obliged to give his support to our people and to the whole of Serbia.”
His reference to “the whole of Serbia” reflects the policy of the Serbian government, which still considers Kosovo an integral part of its territory and has not recognized the country’s independence.
CNN did not receive a response earlier this week from Djokovic’s representation seeking clarification on whether he wants Kosovo to be part of Serbia.
“Of course, I know a lot of people will disagree with that, but it is what it is,” Djokovic said after his second-round victory over Hungary’s Martin Fucsoks on Wednesday. “It’s something I stand for. That’s all.”
He added that he had not spoken to French Open tournament director Emilie Mauresmo about the incident.
on tuesday, Kosovar Olympic Committee (KOC) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have demanded disciplinary action against Djokovic.
The KOC claimed that the 22-time Grand Slam champion “nevertheless promoted Serbian nationalist propaganda and used the sports platform to do so,” thereby “increasing tensions between the two countries, Kosovo and Serbia and increased the level of violence.”
However, the ITF said that the conduct of players at a Grand Slam is governed by the relevant organizer’s Grand Slam Rulebook, which “does not contain any clause … that prohibits political statements.”
The IOC said athletes only come under its jurisdiction during the Olympic Games.
Djokovic is no stranger to controversy at Grand Slam tournaments. At the Australian Open in January, He said that his father, Sardjan, had no intention of supporting “war measures of any kind”. Filmed With a group of Russian supporters at the Australian Open.
Then there was the 36-year-old at the 2022 Australian Open. Exile After arriving in Melbourne, the country was not vaccinated against Covid-19.
“A drama-free Grand Slam, I don’t think it can happen for me,” he said on Wednesday. “You know, I think it drives me too.”
Djokovic faces Spain’s Alejandro Davidovic Fokina in the third round of the French Open on Friday as he continues his bid for a 23rd Grand Slam title – one behind Rafael Nadal on the men’s all-time list.