Novak Djokovic has been accused of "raising the level of tension and violence" between Serbia and Kosovo after writing a political message on a camera lens at the French Open.
The 36-year-old wrote: "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence," onto a camera lens following his first round win against Alexsandar Kovacevic on Monday, prompting controversy with the statement due to the rising tensions in the region. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, a move which has never been formally recognised by the Serbian government.
Djokovic's comments are believed to have been related to violent clashes which took place during April's local elections in Kosovo. He has since been criticised by Ismet Krasniqi, president of Kosovo's Olympic Committee (KOK), who said in a statement: "Novak Djokovic has yet again promoted the Serbian nationalists' propaganda and used the sport platform to do so.
"The further post-match statements made by such a public figure without any feeling of remorse, directly result in raising the level of tension and violence between the two countries." Krasniqi also called for Djokovic to be subjected to disciplinary proceedings following the message, with the International Olympic Committe (IOC) asked to respond firmly to the incident.
At present, there are 4,000 NATO troops in the region, although Reuters report that 700 more are to be sent to the region in response to the recent raised tensions.
Djokovic's message has also been criticised by France's Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera. She told French television. "There is a principle of neutrality for the field of play. When you carry messages about defending human rights, messages that bring people together around universal values, a sports person is free to express them.
"But in this case, it was a message that is very activist, that is very political. You shouldn't get involved, especially in the current circumstances, and it shouldn't happen again."
Djokovic defended his statement on Monday, telling a Serbian press conference, via The Guardian: “This is the least I could have done. I feel the responsibility as a public figure – doesn’t matter in which field – to give support.
“I am not a politician and I don’t have the intention to get into political debate. That topic is very sensitive. As a Serb, everything that’s happening in Kosovo hurts me a lot.”
It is not the first time this year that Djokovic has been embroiled in political controversy, after his father, Srdjan Djokovic, was filmed alongside pro-Russian supporters and pictured next to a Russian flag bearing the face of Vladimir Putin at the Australian Open in January.
