“I am not holding back, I would do it again,” Novak Djokovic UNBOTHERED by repercussions he might face following his political statement on Kosovo and Serbia

Djokovic has stirred up the emotions of many when he wrote "Kosovo is heart of Serbia" on the camera.

“I am not holding back, I would do it again,” Novak Djokovic UNBOTHERED by repercussions he might face following his political statement on Kosovo and Serbia

Novak Djokovic and his political statement on Kosovo and Serbia(Image Credits: tennis majors/ tennis letter)

Novak Djokovic is known to not be pushed around by norms and social media. He has lived his life and professional tennis career on his own terms. Most of the time, he has been at the receiving end of negative media attention, but the Serb always stood his ground. Whether it was the pressure to get vaccinated for COVID or his outspokenness about the Serbian war, the World No. 3 has been very outspoken when compared with most players.

Yet again, Novak Djokovic has stirred up the emotions of many when he wrote “Kosovo is heart of Serbia” on the camera. After winning his first-round match at Roland Garros, Djokovic took the opportunity to make this political statement by writing on camera. The tennis world shook from the moment he wrote that.

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People started reprimanding Djokovic on social media for making such a political statement at a sporting event. But the 36-year-old told the Serbian press that he is undeterred by what people are saying about him. “Don’t know what’s going to happen. I heard that there have been many objections on social media – whether I will be punished. I am not holding back, I would do it again,” said Novak Djokovic.

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Djokovic made his stance very clear that he is against violence. Recently, more than 50 people were hurt in clashes between KFOR (NATO mission in Kosovo) and Serbian protesters trying to prevent a newly elected ethnic Albanian mayor from entering his office. “My stance is clear: I am against wars, violence and any kind of conflict, as I’ve always stated publicly. I empathize with all people, but the situation with Kosovo is a precedent in international law,“ added Djokovic.

Djokovic had made a political statement about Kosovo back in 2008, after which he stayed away from the highly flammable topic. The 2008 interview of him talking about Kosovo and Serbia is going viral after Djokovic made the fresh statement at Roland Garros in 2023.

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Novak Djokovic feels it’s his responsibility to speak up as a public figure

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Novak Djokovic (Image Credit: NY Times)

Though touching a sensitive nerve with his statement on the disputed land of Kosovo, Djokovic feels it is his prerogative to do so. Djokovic said, “This is the least I could have done. I feel the responsibility as a public figure – doesn’t matter in which field – to give support.” Novak Djokovic’s father is from the Kosovo region. Due to the war and unrest, his family moved to Belgrade in the early 1980s. Hence, Djokovic feels a deep connection with the Kosovo region, which declared its independence from Serbia in 2008.

Novak Djokovic’s intention was to show his love for the region in its basic form. “I am not a politician and I don’t have the intention to get into political debate,” Djokovic said. “That topic is very sensitive… As a Serb, everything that’s happening in Kosovo hurts me a lot,” said Novak Djokovic. So far, Roland Garros had not communicated with the Serb about his message. Djokovic responded with a negative and said, “Hope it stays that way.”

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