Novak Djokovic Kosovo comments provoke French Open chiefs into ominous response
The French Open has issued a statement after Novak Djokovic shared a political message following his first-round match.
The French Open has issued a new statement after the Kosovo Tennis Federation called for Novak Djokovic to be fined. After his first-round win in Paris, the world No 3 wrote: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia! Stop violence,” on the camera. It comes as tensions continue to rise after Kosovo police raided Serb-dominated areas over the weekend.
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Kosovo declared independence in 2008 - something that is recognised by many countries around the world - but Serbia continues to claim the nation despite having no formal control. And tensions have flared in recent days as Nato peacekeepers clashed with Serb protesters in northern Kosovo.
It comes as police moved to install new ethnic Albanian mayors following elections in April which were boycotted by Kosovo’s Serbian minority. And Djokovic used his platform to send a political message from the French Open on Monday, referencing Kosovo as part of Serbia.
The French Open originally refused to make a statement on the matter despite growing concerns over the world No 3’s stance, saying: “The FFT [French Federation of Tennis] will not be making any statement or taking any stance on this matter.” But after the Kosovo Tennis Federation called on the sport’s governing bodies to fine Djokovic, tournament bosses shared an update on Tuesday.
“Occasionally, discussions about international news events enter the realm of the tournament, which is understandable,” the French Open said in a fresh statement, not addressing Djokovic or his comments directly. “We regularly discuss the matter on the Grand Slam Board, where the four Grand Slam tournaments are represented.
“The same rules apply to all four Grand Slams. The tournament referee and Grand Slam Supervisors ensure that these rules are complied with. Messages are passed on to the teams of any players concerned by such matters.”
It comes after Jeton Hadergjona - Vice President of the Kosovo Tennis Federation - called on Djokovic to be punished for his public political stance. “It's not the first time that Djokovic is doing this. He's continually provoking Kosovo. He suggested he has roots from Kosovo because his father (Srdjan) was born in Kosovo,” he said.
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“It's understandable he's connected with that part. But Kosovo is an independent country recognised by the ITF, Tennis Europe and the international community. But he continuously attacks us every time he can do it.”
Demanding that Djokovic be sanctioned, he added: “We have to react. Tomorrow we will send an official request for Djokovic to be charged, to have a fine. We will request from the ITF, the ATP and the French Tennis Federation.”
Meanwhile, Djokovic told the Serbian media that he thought his words on the camera lens were necessary. “This is the least I could have done. I feel the responsibility as a public figure to give support. Especially as a son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to them and to Serbia,” he said.
