Novak Djokovic has plunged himself into hot water in Kosovo after writing a politically charged message on a TV camera at the French Open.
The Serbia tennis star, 36, risked outrage by writing: "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia! Stop violence," in the aftermath of his first-round victory over American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Paris. Djokovic's message comes amid a period of increasing tension in the Balkans, with the Serbian army on alert after clashes between police and Kosovo's Serb minority, leaving 10 people injured.
Speaking to Serbian media following his opening victory, Djokovic explained the motivation behind his stance, saying: "As a Serb, it hurts me what is happening in Kosovo, our people have been expelled from the municipalities. I feel the responsibility as a public figure to show support, and I especially feel it as the son of a man who was born in Kosovo, this is the least I could do.
