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.
