CNN
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Serbia Tennis Star Novak Djokovic stands with his decision to send a political message about Kosovo at the French Open.
After his first round victory on Monday, Djokovic wrote Serbia’s (heart symbol) to Serbia’s (heart symbol) to Kosovo of Serbia on a TV camera lens in response to violent clashes in Kosovo.
Kosovo has been increasing tension in the last week, which announced independence from Serbia in 2008. In a disputed election, there were clashes with protesters on Monday over the establishment of ethnic albanian mayors.
NATO Shanti soldiers were injured on Monday after the clashes with Serbian protesters, who prevented newly elected mayors from assuming positions in the northern municipality of Zevekan.
Djokovic, whose father was born in Kosovo, said this week that he felt bound to support our people and Serbia for the entirety of Serbia. ”
His reference to “Serbia’s entirety” reflects the policy of the Serbian government, which still considers Kosovo an integral part of his region and has not recognized the freedom of the country.
CNN sought clarification from the representation of Djokovic earlier this week whether he wanted to be a part of Kosovo Serbia, but received no response.
“Of course, I know that a lot of people will disagree, but this is the same, which is,” Djokovic said on Wednesday after his second win against Hungary’s Marunon Fusovics. “This is something for which I stand. So this is all.”
He said that he did not talk to the French Open Tournament Director Emelie Mousmo about the incident.
On Tuesday, the Kosovan Olympic Committee (KOC) called the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to take disciplinary action against Djokovic.
The KOC claimed that the 22 -time Grand Slam Champion “again promoted the Serbian nationalist propaganda and used the sports platform to do so, which” increased the level of tension and violence between the two countries, Kosovo and Serbia. ,
However, the ITF stated that the conduct of the players in a Grand Slam is ruled by the Grand Slam Rulebook of the relevant organizer, which “no provision … which restrictions political statements.”
IOC said that athletes only come under their rights during the Olympic Games.
There is no stranger for controversy in the Djokovic Grand Slam tournament. At the Australian Open in January, he said that his father, Shrijan, was filmed with a group of Russian supporters at the Australian Open, not intended to support “any kind of war initiative”.
Then at the Australian Open of 2022, the 36 -year -old was deported from the country after arriving in Melbourne, which became unawactin against Kovid -19.
“A drama-free Grand Slam, I don’t think it could be for me,” he said on Wednesday. “You know, I think I drive me too.”
Djokovic on Friday faced Spain’s Alejandro Davidovic Fokina in the third round of the French Open as he continues to win the 23rd Grand Slam title-more than Rafael Nadal at the top of the all-time list of men.
