Novak Djokovic comments on Kosovo conflict at French Open

Kyodo/AP

Serbian-born tennis superstar Novak Djokovic used his platform at the French Open to oppose the battle in his house united states of america.

After defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic in the opening round of the tournament, Djokovic wrote an anti-war message on some of the digicam lenses. It was once then displayed on the courtroom’s big screen.

“Kosovo is the (coronary heart) of Serbia,” Djokovic wrote in Serbian. “Stop the violence.”

“#Kosovo is the heart of #Serbia! Cease the violence”, wrote Novak #Djokovic, after profitable the opening suit at Roland Garros. percenttwitter.com/A0xJaKiaY5

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) Could 29, 2023

Kosovo has been embroiled in struggle in view that declaring independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia has but to recognize its sovereignty. Consistent with a CNN report, tensions just lately rose when ethnically-Albanian mayors took workplace in Northern Kosovo, sparking protests.

“That is the least I may have done,” Djokovic stated after the suit. “I feel the accountability as a public determine – doesn’t subject wherein field – to offer enhance.

“Particularly as a son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the wish to supply my give a boost to to our individuals and to the whole lot of Serbia. I don’t know, and I think many others don’t recognize, what the longer term brings for Kosovo and for Serbian folks, nevertheless it’s vital to point out beef up and reveal solidarity in a lot of these situations. I don’t know what will happen.”

‘It’s the least I could have accomplished’ – Novak Djokovic has defended his controversial message, written on a camera lens at the French Open, which claimed ‘Kosovo is the center of Serbia’. p.c.twitter.com/gfKuvQsPsV

— Guardian activity (@guardian_sport) Could 30, 2023

Because of Djokovic’s rhetoric — including the phrase “entirety of Serbia” — it’s been broadly assumed that he stands with Serbia in not recognizing Kosovo’s sovereignty. His message sparked outrage online, with one Twitter user even accusing him of racism.

“#Djokovic by no means fails to expose his national chauvinism, spoiling the game of tennis with unparalleled inflammatory slogans,” they stated. “@rolandgarros will have to disqualify him for using their event to advertise racism.”

#Djokovic never fails to expose his nationwide chauvinism, spoiling the sport of tennis with unparalleled inflammatory slogans. @rolandgarros must disqualify him for using their event to advertise racism. #disqualifydjokovic percenttwitter.com/nUkCXSENoV

— Lekë Batalli (@LBatalli) Could 29, 2023

Shame on @rolandgarros and in addition on @ITFTennis for tolerating this clown known as Novak Djokovic. p.c.twitter.com/3ZlDnvNbdy

— Arianit Beqiri (@ArianitBeqiri) May just 29, 2023

Conspiracy theorist, vaccine denier, ethnic nationalist however howdy he’s good at tennis! https://t.co/EjTL02DalJ

— Reg Pula (@RegPula) May 30, 2023

Being an instigator of nationalistic
a ways-proper rhetoric, is a ways worse than being anti-vaccine moron that @DjokerNole is. @atptour should droop him over this. But they won’t. Kosovo has official right to exist. https://t.co/PzxMb2tQB3

— Andrew Taylor (@andrewtaylor19) May 29, 2023

This newest controversy comes simply months after Djokovic used to be barred from competing in the U.S. because of his vaccination status.

The put up ‘Stop the Violence’: Serbian-Born Tennis megaStar Novak Djokovic Writes Anti-Conflict Message on Camera Lens at French Open first appeared on Mediaite.