Novak Djokovic risks political outrage at French Open with TV message

Novak Djokovic has risked causing outrage in Kosovo by writing on a TV camera at the French Open: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia! Stop violence.” The Balkans are currently in a state of high tension with the Serbian army on alert after clashes between police and Kosovo’s Serb minority which have seen ten people injured.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008 – and is recognised by the International Tennis Federation – but it is still claimed by Serbia. Clashes began after police moved to install new ethnic Albanian mayors following April elections boycotted by Kosovo’s Serbs.

The start of the second Grand Slam of the season had been dominated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the Serbian superstar has now brought Kosovo to the top of the news agenda by writing the highly-charged political slogan – and then posting it to his 12m Instagram followers on Instagram.

The world No.3 chose to create this furore at the start of his bid to win a record 23rd male singles title at a Grand Slam here.

Speaking to the Serbian media after his first round win over American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Paris, Djokovic said: “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.”

Djokovic and his family are never far from controversy. The Wimbledon champion was deported from Australia last year after entering the country without a Covid vaccine. And his father Srdjan was pictured posing with pro-Putin Russian fans in Melbourne this January.