The message that Novak Djokovic wrote in support of Kosovo in a camera after his victory against Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round of Roland Garros has provoked various reactions, including that of the French Sports Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castera, who has described as "inappropriate" and has warned that "it must not happen again".
The Serbian tennis player wrote "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia! Stop the violence" after his first match at Roland Garros, making clear reference to the growing tension in that territory that declared its independence, not recognized by many countries, and where the minority Serbia does not recognize the authority of Pristina.
The player confirmed his comments on Wednesday night, without repeating them, because they reflect what he "thinks", but refused to enter into controversy with the minister, he replied "no comment" when asked for his opinion on the criticism received. Speaking to France 2 Amélie Oudéa-Castera described the message as "militant and very political" which comes at a time when violence is escalating in northern Kosovo between minority Serb protesters and the NATO force stationed there.
Gilles Moretton, for his part, president of the French Tennis Federation, clarified the position of the tournament directors: "When they are at a press conference, we are not going to sterilize the personality of the players. They have the right to express themselves in any field, but on the track, indeed, we wanted the players not to have any political position", he declared.
"We have had many conversations with Djokovic's entourage and this must not happen again," Moretton said. "There are no sanctions at the moment because we know that he is excited and we know that it is something that affects his family," he added.
The Roland Garros ethics letter prohibits political or religious statements, unlike the International Tennis Federation (ITF) which, as it stressed on Wednesday, "political statements by players are not prohibited." "The rules of conduct for players in a Grand Slam tournament are defined by the Grand Slam rules, published by the organizer and the relevant regulator. There is no provision in these rules that prohibits political statements" by players, he stated. the ITF to the AFP.
Minister Oudéa-Castera, asked about the expression of political positions during this Grand Slam tournament, like those of Ukrainian athletes since the Russian invasion of their country, commented that "she did not put the two issues at the same level."
