The International Tennis Federation (ITF) stressed on Wednesday May 31 that “political statements” by players were not prohibited, while Novak Djokovic’s release on Kosovo “heart of Serbia” caused controversy. “The rules of conduct for players during a Grand Slam tournament are defined by the Grand Slam regulations, issued by the organizer and the regulator concerned. There is no provision in these regulations prohibiting political statements” by players, the ITF said. The international body confirms having received a letter from the Kosovo Tennis Federation and says it has “forwarded it to the authorities managing the Grand Slams”. Monday, after his first round match and while Kosovo has been the scene for several days of clashes between members of the international force led by NATO (KFOR) and Serb demonstrators, Djokovic had written on the Philippe-Chatrier court camera: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia!” Stop the violence. He explained in the wake of feeling “an additional responsibility, as a public figure and as the son of a man born in Kosovo, to provide (his) support to all the Serbian people”. “It’s the least I can do. I am not a politician and I have no intention of engaging in a debate,” he added. However, this Wednesday, French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra criticized Djokovic’s message, judging that it was “not appropriate” and that “it should not start again”.
rf-2-sports
Djokovic on Kosovo: “Political statements” are not prohibited, says ITF
