Novak Djokovic found himself in the headlines on Monday in Paris however it had very little to do with his match.
Djokovic took on Aleksandar Kovacevic at Roland Garros beating him in straight sets. It was a good win for Djokovic who looked pretty decent in the match with no elbow brace or anything that would allude to him dealing with an injury.
Instead of that performance being the headline, Djokovic did something that quite literally 'stole the show'. He sent a message of support to the Serbian people in Kosovo after the region experienced civil unrest due to the complicated political situation in the country. He later explained the reasons behind the message.
However, the Kosovo Tennis Federation reacted immediately with a statement of their own explaining that Djokovic's statement is a provocation that needs to be fined. The lengthy statement went on to explain that the country is an independent one officially recognised by the international tennis bodies which makes this statement nothing but a provocation. We carry the full statement below.
“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 was born in Kosovo. He lived in the north part and probably you heard now in that part there is some troubles and some of the peacekeepers, international soldiers, were injured because the Serbian people attack them. OK, Djokovic has some connections, he still has some family there I think and he visited that part. It’s understandable, he’s connected with that part.
But Kosovo is an independent country recognised by the ITF (International Tennis Federation), Tennis Europe and the international community. But he continuously attacks us every time he can do it. In a basketball match in Belgrade one month ago, all the people in the stadium were chanting ‘Kosovo is Serbia’. He was not shouting but he was doing the signs with his hand supporting that.
That one was not very public, I reacted as well, but this one was a big one. According to the Olympics charter, the fundamental principle is that sporting organisations within the Olympic movement should apply political neutrality. The ITF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee. 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.”
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