Novak Djokovic causes stir with eight-word message after French Open win

Novak Djokovic has thrown himself back into the spotlight with an eight-word message to the world after his first round win at the French Open.

Novak Djokovic started his bid for a men’s record 23rd Grand Slam singles title with a straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the French Open first round.

The two-time Roland Garros champion held off a late rally from his American opponent on Court Philippe Chatrier to clinch a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 victory.

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He has still not lost in his opening match of a major since the 2006 Australian Open.

“I want to dominate whoever I play against regardless of the circumstances and who is across the net, but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” said Djokovic after kicking off his 19th consecutive French Open campaign.

It was after his opening round victory however that Djokovic caused a stir when he wrote a message on the lens of the TV camera as he walked off court.

“Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop violence,” Djokovic wrote as the message was displayed on the big screen.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but despite being recognised by over 100 countries, Serbia still considers it to be a part of its country - refusing to recognise it as an indepenent state. Effectively preventing Kosovo from having a seat at the United Nations.

The post-game message from Djokovic follows in that sentiment by appearing to deny Kosovo of its independence.

It’s not the first time the Serbian star has spoken out with his first remarks coming shortly after Kosovo declared its indepence from Serbia in 2008.

Djokovic didn’t comment publicly on the Kosovo issue for a long time, but he has before.

Back in 2008, right after his first major win, he recorded a video message for a “Kosovo is Serbia” rally in Belgrade. pic.twitter.com/pMmYnZxoeW

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 29, 2023

The situation in Kosovo has been increasingly fraught in recent times after Serbia put its military on high alert and announced troops were being sent to the border.

Earlier in the day, before Djokovic’s match, NATO peacekeeping soldiers were injured in clashes with Serbian protestors.

Social media went into a flurry with the message ruffling feathers in Kosovo and leaving many to question why Djokovic hadn’t received any punishment for the political statement.

Novak Đoković sent a message today at Rolan Garos.

"Kosovo is the heart of Serbia"
"Stop violence" pic.twitter.com/CTVhgmBQ6w

— Based Serbia (@SerbiaBased) May 29, 2023

Novak Djokovic just publicly used nationalistic and divisive language by writing on the camera screen the statement, "🇽🇰 is the heart of 🇷🇸."

His actions not only promote hateful propaganda but also contribute to the perpetuation of conflict and division.#boycottDjokovicpic.twitter.com/zUfEWb5Wgp

— Kosovar Krasniqi (@kosovar_kras) May 29, 2023

The French Tennis Federation (FFT), which organises the French Open, told Reuters that there were “no official Grand Slam rules on what players can or cannot say. The FFT will not be making any statement or taking any stance on this matter.”

Hi @rolandgarros. Milorad Cavic was suspended from the Euro Championship (2008), for wearing a "Kosovo is Serbia" T-shirt. How come Djokovic is tolerated for spreading the same political msg in Paris today? As far as I know, Kosovo is recognized as an independent country by FR. pic.twitter.com/7OdugsYYUx

— boscanuck (@boscanuck94) May 29, 2023

So if a Russian player tomorrow writes “Crimea and Donbas are heart of Russia. Stop violence” it’s all cool? Djokovic has a history of support for Serbian nationalist causes… #Ukraine#Russia#Kosovo#Serbia@rolandgarros#RG23https://t.co/KaMi5TMlJ6

— Petrit Selimi (@Petrit) May 29, 2023

The 36-year-old addressed his message and the ongoing situation in his home country during his post-match press conference.

“I am not a politician and I have no intention of getting into political debates,” Djokovic said.

“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.

“I feel an obligation to show support for our people and all of Serbia. I think many do not know what the future holds for Kosovo, but it is important to show harmony in situations like this. I hear there was a lot of criticism on social media. I don’t know if someone will punish me or something like that.

“But I would do it again. I am against wars and conflicts of any kind. Kosovo is our hearth, stronghold, the centre of the most important events, the biggest battle took place there, the most monasteries. There are many reasons why I wrote this.”

Djokovic caused a stir after his win. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)

The 22-time Grand Slam champ will face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, who he has beaten four times in as many meetings, in the second round.

Djokovic is only seeded third at Roland Garros this year despite the absence of his great rival and 14-time winner Rafael Nadal through injury, behind world number one Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.

He is tied with Nadal for most men’s Slam singles trophies and just one behind the 23 of Serena Williams. Margaret Court holds the all-time record of 24.

Kovacevic, the world number 114 playing in his first Grand Slam match, battled hard but could not put Djokovic under sustained pressure until it was too late.

Djokovic eased through the first two sets, before Kovacevic did break for the first time in the match to level the third set at 3-3, only to drop serve again immediately.

Djokovic uncharacteristically stumbled when serving for the match as Kovacevic forced a tie-break to the delight of the crowd.

But the world number three quickly regrouped, dominating the breaker before ending Kovacevic’s resistance on his first match point with a thumping forehand return.

- with AFP