A French official warned tennis superstar Novak Djokovic on Wednesday about spreading political messages at the French Open following his call for an end to the violence in Kosovo.
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told France 2 that Djokovic’s message was “not appropriate” and that French Open director Amelie Mauresmo spoke to the Serbian superstar and his environment to insist on the principle of “neutrality” on the court.
“When it comes to defending human rights and bringing people together around universal values, an athlete is free to do that,” Oudea-Castera said, adding that Djokovic’s message is “militant, very political.” and “must not be repeated”.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Novak Djokovic writes in Serbian into the camera lens a political statement: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence,” about the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia after his first round victory during the 2 2023 French Open at Stade Roland. – Garros in Paris on Monday. (Getty Images)
Djokovic was accused of fueling tensions in Kosovo amid violent clashes. After defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic, Djokovic wrote a message in Serbian on a camera lens that read: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence.”
Some took the message as a show of support for Kosovo Serbs who clashed with police and NATO peacekeepers this week when demonstrations erupted after newly elected ethnic Albanian officials tried to enter the municipal buildings in the northern region.
“The comments made by Novak Djokovic at the end of his Roland Garros match against Aleksandar Kovacevic, his statements at the post-match press conference and his post on Instagram are regrettable,” said the president of the Tennis Federation of Kosovo, Jeton Hadergjonaj, in a statement via Reuters.
“Novak Djokovic was already the author of similar actions in the past. Despite a general message against violence, the statement ‘Kosovo is the heart of Serbia’ and subsequent statements after the match, made by such a public figure, on the occasion of world events such as the French Open, have as a direct result the increased level of tension between the two states, Serbia and Kosovo.”
THIAGO SEYBOTH WILD DESTROYES RUSSIAN STAR DANIIL MEDVEDEV IN FIRST ROUND OF FRENCH OPEN
Djokovic’s message is shown on the camera lens. (Getty Images)
In a post-match press conference, Djokovic explained that his ties to Kosovo led him to make the statement. He also reiterated his stance against the war.
“As the son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to our people and all of Serbia,” he told reporters via Reuters. “My position is clear: I am against wars, violence and any kind of conflict, as I have always stated publicly. I sympathize with all people, but the situation with Kosovo is a precedent in international law.”
The International Tennis Federation has not opened a disciplinary file.
“We have received a letter from Kosovo which we have replied to,” said ITF president David Haggerty. “But basically we sent their letter to the French federation, the French Open, it’s their tournament and the ATP has the rules; both of them together have the rules and regulations of the event.”
Djokovic reacts during his first round match against Aleksandar Kovacevic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on Monday. (Gao Jing/Xinhua via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Djokovic will play Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday afternoon.
Paulina Dedaj of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at Fox News Digital.
