PARIS — Novak Djokovic stood by his comment that Kosovo was “the heart of Serbia” following his second-round win over Marton Fucsovics at Roland Garros on Wednesday.
Djokovic’s comment, which he wrote on the camera lens after his first round win over Aleksandr Kovacevic on Monday, received criticism from the Kosovan tennis federation, while France sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said his sentiments were “not appropriate” and “shouldn’t happen again.”
Despite the criticism, Djokovic said the comment is “something that I stand for” following his 7-6 (2), 6-0, 6-3 victory against Fucsovics.
“I would say it again, but I don’t need to because you have my quotes if you want to reflect on that,” Djokovic said. “Of course I’m aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is. It’s something that I stand for. So that’s all.
“You know, drama-free Grand Slam, I don’t think it can happen for me. You know, I guess that drives me, as well.”
Djokovic said he had “no more comment” and said that he had “said what I needed to say” when asked if he had any response to Oudea-Castera.
Djokovic’s comments came amid political tensions in Kosovo. Thirty NATO peacekeeping soldiers were injured Monday in clashes with Serb protesters in the northern Kosovo town of Zvecan, where Djokovic’s father grew up.
Serbs, who comprise a majority in Kosovo’s north, have never accepted the country’s 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia. They still see Belgrade as their capital more than two decades after a Kosovo Albanian uprising against repressive Serbian rule. Ethnic Albanians make up more than 90% of the population of Kosovo as a whole.
Monday’s clashes came as ethnic Albanian mayors took office in Serb-majority areas following elections that the Serbs had boycotted.
“Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence,” Djokovic, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, wrote in Serbian on a TV camera at Roland Garros.
Djokovic later explained that he was against war, but he defended his statement and described Kosovo’s situation as a “precedent.”
“As a son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to our people and to entire Serbia,” Djokovic told reporters. “My stance is clear: I am against wars, violence and…
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