Novak Djokovic is again in the center of attention of the world public, less because of the successful start of the Roland Garros Grand Slam, more because of the message about Kosovo and Serbia.
After defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic at the start of Roland Garros in Paris, 36-year-old Djokovic is on camera wrote a message “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia, stop the violence!”, and she then appeared on the big screen at the tennis stadium.
He wrote the message on the day when the most serious incidents of the last few years took place in the north of Kosovo, with dozens injured in clashes between Serbs and members of KFOR – the international peacekeeping mission and the Kosovo Police.
“I am not a politician, nor do I intend to enter into discussions.” As a Serb, it hurts me what is happening in Kosovo, our people have been expelled from the municipalities. This is the least I could do.
“As a public figure, regardless of the area, 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,” Djokovic said after the match, reports Sport Club.
There were many comments on social networks about this move by Djokovic, and some called for the Serbian tennis player to be punished.
“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,” says Djokovic.
He added that he has sympathy for all people, but that “the situation with Kosovo is a precedent in international law and according to the United Nations charter.”
“I feel the responsibility as a public figure to provide support, and I especially feel it as the son of a man who was born in Kosovo.”
“Kosovo is our hearth, stronghold, center of the most important events, the biggest battle took place there, the most monasteries.” There are many reasons why I wrote this,” said the best tennis player in the world.
French Tennis Federation: “We will not take any measures”
On the occasion of Djokovic’s message, the French Tennis Federation (FFT), which is also the organizer of the tournament, made an announcement, reports Reuters.
“Nowhere in the official Grand Slam rules does it say what a player can and cannot say. “FFT will not take any measures,” the announcement reads.
Scribbled mural of Djokovic in Orahovac
A day after the Serbian tennis player sent a message from Roland Garros, a mural dedicated to Novak Djokovic was destroyed in Orahovac, in the west of Kosovo, local Radio Goraždevac reported on its website.
Along with the photo of the scrawled mural, this radio also published photos of KLA graffiti (an abbreviation for the Kosovo Liberation Army in the Albanian language) on the sidewalk in the immediate vicinity of the mural.
The painting of the mural in Orahovac is part of the “Color in the Air” project implemented by the organization Amici di Decani (Friends of Dečan), in collaboration with the artist Deroks.
At the beginning of last year, in places with a Serbian population in Kosovo, he painted murals according to the wishes and agreement with the hosts, according to this radio.
Djokovic could win the 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, which would make him an absolute record holder.
He and Rafael Nadal are currently tied with the 22nd Grand Slam title each, but the Spaniard is not playing at Roland Garros this season due to an injury, and he announced that he will retire completely next year.
The Swiss Roger Federer has already stopped actively playing tennis.
Djokovic, who turned 36 a few days ago, has already broken many records in tennis, and he posted another one today.
He became the second player in the Open Era of tennis to win 65 consecutive Grand Slam first-round matches (between Roland Garros 2006 and 2023), tying him with Roger Federer (between Wimbledon 2003 and 2021).
Fifteen years after the declaration of independence, Kosovo was recognized by about 100 countries.
However, the exact number is not known.
Pristina cites a figure of 117 countries, and in Belgrade they say that there are far fewer.
Among the countries of the European Union that have not recognized Kosovo are Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Greece and Romania, and when it comes to world powers, they are Russia, China, Brazil and India.
Since 2008, Kosovo has become a member of several international organizations, such as the IMF, the World Bank and FIFA, but not the United Nations.
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