Novak Djokovic has risked fuelling political tensions in his dwelling area with a political message about Kosovo – after peacekeeping troops had been harm when ethnic Serbs clashed with police over the weekend.
Following his win towards Aleksandr Kovacevic in his first match of the French Open, Djokovic, who’s Serbian, wrote on the digicam lens: “Kosovo is the center of Serbia. Cease the violence.”
His feedback got here because the NATO-led Kosovo Drive (KFOR) peacekeeping pressure claimed that 25 of its troops had been injured in clashes with ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 – however the two international locations have been foes for many years, as Belgrade refused to recognise its sovereignty.
Violence broke out within the north of the nation over the weekend after ethnic Albanian mayors had been put in in Serbian-dominated areas.
The clashes had been the most recent incident as tensions soared over the previous week, with Serbia placing the nation’s army on excessive alert and sending extra troops to the border with Kosovo.
In the meantime, the US and the European Union have ramped up efforts to assist resolve the Kosovo-Serbia dispute, fearing additional instability in Europe as Russia’s struggle rages in Ukraine.
The EU has made it clear that Serbia and Kosovo should normalise their relations to advance of their intentions to affix the bloc.
On Monday, Kosovar police and the NATO-led KFOR, had been seen defending the municipality buildings in Zvecan, Leposavic, Zubin Potok and Mitrovica – that are 4 communes within the northern area that held early elections final month.
Djokovic, whose father was born in Kosovo, informed Serbian journalists: “I’m not a politician, nor do I intend to enter into debates.
“As a Serb, it hurts me what is occurring in Kosovo. Our folks have been expelled from the municipalities. That is the least I might do. As a public determine, I really feel an obligation to point out help for our folks and all of Serbia.”
He added: “I hear there was a number of criticism on social media. I do not know if somebody will punish me or one thing like that, however I’d do it once more. I’m towards wars and conflicts of any sort.
“Kosovo is our coronary heart, stronghold, the centre of crucial occasions, the most important battle happened there, probably the most monasteries. There are lots of explanation why I wrote this.”
Learn extra:
Serbia’s president says NATO-led troops ‘didn’t do their job’ to cease ‘brutal’ violence in Kosovo
Serbia locations safety forces on Kosovo border at state of ‘full fight readiness’
In November, Serbia’s soccer workforce had been fined by FIFA on the World Cup after a flag exhibiting Kosovo as a part of the nation was displayed of their altering room.
The 36-year-old tennis star made his feedback after his 6-3 6-2 7-6 (1) win towards Kovacevic.