Novak Djokovic says he stands by his statement on Kosovo but wants to put the controversy behind him after his second-round victory at the French Open.
The world No.3 wrote: ‘Kosovo is the heart of Serbia’ on a camera lens following his first-round win on Monday, the same day 30 NATO peacekeeping troops were hurt in clashes with Serb protesters in the Kosovo town of Zvecan – where Djokovic’s father grew up.
The incident caused a furore, with Kosovo’s Olympic authorities asking the International Olympic Committee to open disciplinary proceedings against Djokovic, and French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera saying the 22-time grand slam winner’s comments were “not appropriate”.
Djokovic is not set to face any punishment, with the French and international tennis federations saying no grand slam rules were broken.
“I would say it again, but I don’t need to because you have my quotes if you want to reflect on that,” Djokovic told a press conference on Wednesday.
“Of course, 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. I have no more comment on that. I said what I needed to say.”
– AAP
