Novak Djokovic: "I'm against war," but haters attack him

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic got his first success in the 2023 edition of the Roland Garros. Not a prohibitive challenge for the Serbian star, who faced the American Aleksander Kovacevic, number 114 in the ATP ranking. The former number one arrives at this important appointment with the aim of putting his head ahead of Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam calculation for the first time in his career.

At the moment the two are tied at 22 all. An important opportunity for Nole who will also be able to take advantage of the Majorcan's absence, absent for the first time in his career in Paris. But Djokovic's name was in the spotlight, but not for technical feats, but for a gesture, made immediately after winning the match.

Novak signed the camera with "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Let's stop the violence." This message of his obviously did not go unnoticed on social networks, also triggering controversy within the tournament.

Novak Djokovic: "I'm against war," but haters attack him

Later, the tennis legend wanted to clarify these words of him: "I'm not a politician and I don't intend to enter into a political debate.

It's a very delicate issue. As a Serb, everything that is happening in Kosovo hurts me a lot. This is the least I can do. I feel a responsibility, as a public figure, regardless of field, to show my support, especially as the son of a man born in Kosovo.

I don't know what will happen in the future for Serbs and Kosovars, but we need to show support and unity in this kind of situation." The French Tennis Federation has spoken out on the matter, saying there are no official Grand Slam rules on what players can and cannot say.

The FFT will not make any representations or take any position in this regard. The Serb denies having been warned by the organisation: "I don't know what will happen. I have heard that there have been a lot of objections on social media.

If I were to be punished, I won't back down, I would do it again. My position is clear: I am against wars, violence and any kind of conflict, as I have always said publicly. I empathize with people, but the situation in Kosovo is a precedent in international law.

I am very sorry for the situation we are in: Kosovo is our cornerstone, our stronghold, our most important monasteries are there."