Novak Djokovic receives warning over 'militant, very political' message at French Open

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A French official warned tennis superstar Novak Djokovic on Wednesday about spreading political messages at the French Open following his call to end the violence in Kosovo.

French Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on France 2 that Djokovic’s message was "not appropriate" and that French Open director Amelie Mauresmo spoke with the Serbian superstar and his entourage to insist on the principle of "neutrality" on the court.

"When it comes to defending human rights and bringing people together around universal values, a sportsperson is free to do so," Oudea-Castera said, adding that Djokovic’s message was "militant, very political" and "must not be repeated."

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Novak Djokovic writes in Serbian on the camera lens a political statement, "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" about the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia after his first round victory during day 2 of the 2023 French Open, Roland-Garros 2023, second Grand Slam tennis tournament of the season at Stade Roland-Garros on May 29, 2023 in Paris. (Getty Images)

Djokovic was accused of fueling tensions in Kosovo amid the violent clashes. After defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic, Djokovic wrote a message in Serbian on a camera lens that read, "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence."

The message was received by some as voicing support for the ethnic Serbs in Kosovo who clashed with police and NATO peacekeepers this week when demonstrations erupted after newly elected ethnic Albanian officials tried to enter municipal buildings in the northern region. 

"The comments made by Novak Djokovic at the end of