Novak Djokovic Controversy At Roland Garros

Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic. (Photo: Twitter/@DjokerNole)

JAKARTA - Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has taken a controversial action after winning the first round of the 2023 French Open against Aleksandar Kovacevic at Roland Garros, Monday, May 29, local time

In his action, Djokovic wrote the word "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop violence" in Serbian in front of the camera. Currently, there is tension in Kosovo.

"Kosovo is our birthplace, our fort, the center of the most important thing for our country... There are many reasons why I wrote that in front of the camera," Djokovic said, as quoted by AFP via Antara, Tuesday, May 30.

NATO, Monday, dispersed Serbian protesters who were again clashing with police in northern Kosovo. Protesters demanded the removal of the newly elected Mayor of Albania amid ethnic tensions in the Balkan country.

About 25 soldiers and more than 50 demonstrators were injured in the clashes.

Serbians in Kosovo boycotted last month's elections in northern cities, allowing ethnic Albaniaans to take control of local councils despite the very small number of voters below 3.5 percent.

Prime Minister Kosovo Albin Kurti officially inaugurated Albania Mayor last week, opposing calls from the European Union and the United States to defuse tensions, who both fought for the independence of the region from Serbia in 2008.

"I'm not a politician and I have no intention of getting involved in political debates, it's a very sensitive topic," Djokovic said.

"Of course it hurts me as a Serbian to see what happens in Kosovo and how our people are kicked out of the city office, so at least what I can do is this."

"As a public figure, as well as the son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel an additional responsibility to express my support to our people and Serbia as a whole."

"I have no regrets and will do it again because my attitude is clear. I am against war, violence, and conflict in any form and I always show it openly. Of course I sympathize with everyone, but what happens to Kosovo is a precedent in international law," said Djokovic.