Djokovic has performed only one match to this point in Paris however he has precipitated a stir after writing a political message on the digital camera lens amid rising ethnic tensions in northern Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognised as its personal state by a number of international locations however Serbia continues to say the nation regardless of having no formal management.

It meant that Djokovic’s message wasn’t obtained nicely, with the vice chairman of Kosovo’s tennis federation claiming that the world No 3 was “continually provoking Kosovo.” But Djokovic has now been defended by Ukrainian star Svitolina, who has continued to stay vocal in regards to the struggle in her personal nation.

The former world No 3 was requested in regards to the Serb’s digital camera message and mentioned Djokovic was free to share his opinion although she admitted that she didn’t know what the political scenario was. “Well, we are living in the free world, so why not to say your opinion on something?” she mentioned.

“I feel like if you stand for something, you think that this is the way, you should say. I mean, if you are with a friend sitting, talking, you're going to say your opinion, he is going to say his opinion. So why not?”

Svitolina’s stance was then challenged by a reporter who famous that it was unusual for Djokovic to say that Kosovo was a part of Serbia. The 28-year-old responded: "Well, this I don't know the politics of Serbia. So if he thinks that, he thinks that, but I don't know if it's the heart of Serbia or not, so…"

When she was instructed that Kosovo was an impartial nation, Svitolina moved away from talking about Djokovic particularly. “I don't know, but, you know, coming back to the politics in sports, as I think all Ukrainians mention, that it's connected very much because we are all people,” she added.

The current Strasbourg champion mentioned folks had been specializing in “empty words” as a substitute of the struggle itself and doubled down on her message after beating Storm Hunter within the second spherical on Wednesday. “It was for people and for media as well because sometimes, you know, I feel like in tennis media is making some articles just a little bit just for sake of it. You know, just for clicks. Sorry to say that, but it's true,” she mentioned of her earlier feedback.

“You know, if, I don't know, some player not from Ukraine said something, it's not helping. It's not helping Ukrainian people. It's not helping us so much in any kind of way. For us it's just, yeah, empty words, as I mentioned before.”