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Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic’s action at the French Open continues to polarize. The Kosovo Tennis Association has now explicitly accused Djokovic of increasing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo with his behaviour, writes The Guardian.

“Kosovo is the heart of Serbia – stop the violence,” the 36-year-old wrote on camera after the first round match against Aleksandar Kovacevic. This was in response to the violent clashes between Serb demonstrators and NATO soldiers in northern Kosovo.

Most of the statement was interpreted in a nationalistic way, but he later claimed that he did not want to make any political statements. However, the tennis star later told Serbian media that what he had done was “the least I could have done”. As a public figure, he feels responsible to provide support in any area.

The Kosovo tennis federation then asked the French tennis federation (FFT) and the ATP to punish Djokovic for his actions. In the meantime, however, it seems unlikely that this will happen: the FFT has made it known that it does not take a position on the incident – a penalty from the tournament organizers thus seems out of the question. Meanwhile, there is no passage in the ATP rules that would explicitly prohibit players from sending political messages.

Djokovic had already revealed his Serbian nationalist leanings on several occasions, especially with regard to Kosovo. In 2008, when Kosovo declared independence, he addressed a video message to a large crowd of demonstrators demonstrating against Kosovo’s independence in Belgrade. Djokovic’s statements were clear: “Kosovo is Serbia. And it always will be,” said the then 21-year-old.

A video also circulated in March of Djokovic applauding spectators at a basketball match between Red Star Belgrade and Valencia as they chanted “Kosovo, Serbia”.

And recently he said in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that he believed “Kosovo is the heart, the center of our culture, our identity, our tradition and our religion.” He wants to baptize his children there.

Djokovic is supported by his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic. The world number 31 declared after their defeat in the first round that Djokovic has the right to speak about the events in Kosovo. He thinks the reactions to Djokovic’s action are exaggerated.

And also in view of the events in North Kosovo, Kecmanovic indicated that he shared Djokovic’s opinion. He continued: “There is no need for violence at this time. Especially if it happens on home soil.” (con)