"It's What I Stand For...": Novak Djokovic On Kosovo 'Heart Of Serbia' Row
NDTV
Novak Djokovic defiantly insisted on Wednesday "it's something I stand for" regarding the controversy over his explosive comments about Kosovo earlier this week at the French Open
Novak Djokovic defiantly insisted on Wednesday "it's something I stand for" regarding the controversy over his explosive comments about Kosovo earlier this week at the French Open. On Monday, the 22-time Grand Slam champion wrote "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" on a TV camera after his first match at Roland Garros. "I would say it again, but I don't need to because you have my quotes," he said after making the third round on Wednesday with a straights sets win over Marton Fucsovics.
"I'm aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is. It's something that I stand for. So that's all."
Djokovic had defended his message in comments to Serb media, saying that Kosovo is Serbia's "cradle, our stronghold".
The International Tennis Federation (ITF), the governing body of the sport, said they had received a request from the Kosovo Tennis Federation demanding Djokovic be sanctioned over his actions.
However, they pointed out that such statements do not contravene regulations.
