At the 2023 French Open, Novak Djokovic sparked significant controversy by writing a politically charged message on a TV camera lens after his first-round victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic (6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1)) on May 29, 2023. The Serbian star, then world No. 3, wrote in Serbian, “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence,” amid escalating tensions in Kosovo, where clashes between ethnic Serbs, Kosovo police, and NATO peacekeepers left dozens injured. The message, displayed on Court Philippe Chatrier’s big screen and shared by Djokovic on Instagram, drew widespread criticism and reignited discussions about athletes’ roles in political discourse, with its echoes still relevant as Djokovic competes at the 2025 French Open.
The 2023 Controversy
Djokovic’s message referenced Serbia’s stance that Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, remains an integral part of its territory—a position not recognized by over 100 UN member states, including the UK. The timing was sensitive, as violent protests erupted in northern Kosovo’s Zvecan—where Djokovic’s father grew up—after ethnic Albanian mayors took office following boycotted elections. At least 34 NATO peacekeepers and 52 Serb protesters were injured, per Reuters. Djokovic told Serbian media, “As a Serb, it hurts me what is happening in Kosovo. Our people have been expelled from municipalities. This is the least I could do as a public figure.” He added, “I am against wars and any conflict,” but stood firm, saying, “I would do it again,” despite social media backlash.
France’s sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, called the message “not appropriate,” arguing for a “principle of neutrality” on the field, though she distinguished it from messages supporting Ukraine, stating Kosovo and Ukraine were not “on the same level.” The Kosovo Olympic Committee demanded IOC disciplinary action, accusing Djokovic of promoting “Serbian nationalists’ propaganda,” while the Kosovo Tennis Federation claimed it heightened tensions. However, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) noted no Grand Slam rules prohibit political statements, and no sanctions were issued. Djokovic signed only his name after his second-round win over Marton Fucsovics, avoiding further escalation.
Fan and Media Reactions
The message polarized fans. Social media posts, like one from @TennisFan123 on X, questioned, “Imagine if a Russian player wrote ‘Ukraine is the heart of Russia.’ Would that be okay?” Others, like @SerbSupporter, praised Djokovic, writing, “He’s standing up for his people, nothing wrong with that.” Critics labeled him a “fascist,” while supporters argued he was calling for peace. The controversy followed earlier scrutiny at the 2023 Australian Open, where Djokovic’s father posed with pro-Russia fans, prompting Djokovic to clarify his family’s anti-war stance.
Context at French Open 2025
As Djokovic competes in 2025, seeded No. 6 and fresh off a first-round win over Mackenzie McDonald (6-3, 6-4, 6-2) on May 26, 2025, the 2023 incident remains a reference point for his polarizing presence. His emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal’s retirement during a press conference, where he teared up saying, “Rafa’s absence leaves a void,” contrasts with his history of courting controversy. Djokovic’s 2025 season has been challenging, with no clay titles and a recent withdrawal from the Italian Open, yet his Olympic gold in 2024 proves his resilience. Facing Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier next, he eyes a 25th Grand Slam title, but the 2023 Kosovo message underscores how his off-court actions often overshadow his on-court brilliance.
Connections to Broader French Open Narratives
The 2023 row parallels other French Open 2025 stories, like Emma Raducanu’s injury concerns and her outreach to Andy Murray for forgiveness after their 2024 Wimbledon fallout. Just as Djokovic navigates his legacy amid personal and political scrutiny, Raducanu battles a back spasm and seeks mentorship to bolster her career. Both players reflect the complex interplay of personal challenges and public perception at Roland Garros, where on-court performance often competes with off-court匆
Court drama. As Djokovic aims for another milestone, the tennis world watches not only for his forehand but for whether controversy will follow again.
