Novak Djokovic has risked inflicting outrage in Kosovo by writing on a TV digital camera on the French Open: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia! Stop violence.” The Balkans are presently in a state of excessive rigidity with the Serbian military on alert after clashes between police and Kosovo's Serb minority which have seen ten folks injured.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008 - and is recognised by the International Tennis Federation - however it's nonetheless claimed by Serbia. Clashes started after police moved to put in new ethnic Albanian mayors following April elections boycotted by Kosovo’s Serbs.

The begin of the second Grand Slam of the season had been dominated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the Serbian famous person has now introduced Kosovo to the highest of the news agenda by writing the highly-charged political slogan - after which posting it to his 12m Instagram followers on Instagram.

The world No.3 selected to create this furore at first of his bid to win a report twenty third male singles title at a Grand Slam right here.

Speaking to the Serbian media after his first spherical win over American Aleksandar Kovacevic in Paris, Djokovic mentioned: “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 and his household are by no means removed from controversy. The Wimbledon champion was deported from Australia final 12 months after coming into the nation and not using a Covid vaccine. And his father Srdjan was pictured posing with pro-Putin Russian followers in Melbourne this January.