"Kosovo, heart of Serbia". Four words that were enough to raise the grumbling against Novak Djokovic. The former world No. 1 and favorite for Roland Garros had used his first-round victory in the Paris Grand Slam to express his support for Serbia as tensions rise in the region.
"It's a very sensitive subject. I am very touched as a Serb by what is happening in Kosovo and by how our people have been practically forced to leave our municipalities (...). I am the son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel an additional responsibility to give my support to our people and to all of Serbia, "said the man with 22 titles in Major in post-match press conference.
"Kosovo, heart of Serbia": this is the message left by Novak Djokovic after his victory on Monday at Roland-Garros.
But the FFT's ethical charter prohibits any political message on its grounds. His position could be reprochéehttps://t.co/NEZTB8qM4h
— Le Parisien (@le_Parisien) May 30, 2023
The president of the Kosovo Tennis Federation responded to France Inter: "We are deeply touched by Novak Djokovic's remarks." Jeton Hadergjonaj says that "this is not the first time Djokovic has done this", a player who "continually provokes our country", according to him.
A formal request for sanction
In 2008, when Kosovo declared its independence, the Serb had already recorded a message in which he spoke of this independence as "one of the most difficult in the history" of the country. "We are ready to defend what belongs to us," assured the tennis player.
To put an end to the exchange of arms with the Serb on this subject, the boss of the Kosovar federation calls for a sanction. "We will officially ask Roland Garros, as organizer, to install a code of ethics to ask that Djokovic be punished," he said.
" READ ALSO Tensions in Kosovo: five minutes to understand the violence against NATO forces
The French Tennis Federation, it had kicked in touch on the question of a sanction. "We'll see, and talk to him to find out what he really meant. No rush. We will ask things, "had already reacted Monday night the director of the tournament Amélie Mauresmo, on the show "Coté court" of France televisions on Twitch.
In the absence of sanctions, Jeton Hadergjonaj has another solution: "If Kosovo is the heart of Serbia as he writes, if I see it, I will invite him to play for Kosovo in Davis Cup."
