Novak Djokovic says 'it's what I stand for' in Kosovo 'heart of Serbia' row

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. Read More: Kosovo seeks disciplinary proceedings against Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic “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. Don’t Miss: Lance Klusener to take over as Tripura cricket operations head However, they pointed out that such statements do not contravene regulations. “Rules for player conduct at a Grand Slam event are governed by the Grand Slam rulebook, administered by the relevant organiser and regulator. There is no provision in this that prohibits political statements,” an ITF spokesman told AFP. Djokovic was criticised for his comments about recent clashes in Kosovo by French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera who said he “shouldn’t get involved”. Oudea-Castera told broadcaster France 2 that Djokovic’s message was “not appropriate, clearly”. “It was a message that is very activist, that is very political.” The Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOC) accused Djokovic of “stirring up” political tensions, a spokesman told AFP. Djokovic “breached the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter regarding political neutrality and involved yet another political statement in sports”, the KOC wrote in a letter sent to the IOC on Tuesday. KOC head Ismet Krasniqi sought that the IOC initiates disciplinary proceedings against Djokovic, said the letter posted on its Facebook. Such “behaviour cannot be tolerated as it sets a dangerous precedent that sports can be used as a platform for political messages, agendas and propaganda”, the letter quoted Krasniqi as saying. Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.