Wawrinka with an emotional thriller
Djokovic does not face a penalty after the Kosovo vortex
May 31, 2023, 8:30 p.m
Novak Djokovic’s political message on the unrest in Kosovo has no consequences from the world tennis association. But the whirlwind continues, clear words are coming from French politics. The top favorite Alcaraz only weakens for one sentence. Veteran Wawrinka suffers and rejoices.
According to his political message at the French Open, Novak Djokovic is not threatened with sanctions by the world tennis association ITF. In a statement, the organization referred to the rules at Grand Slam tournaments. “There is no provision in it that prohibits political statements,” said the ITF. The Kosovan association had complained in a letter about Serb Djokovic’s action. The letter was forwarded to the Grand Slam organizers, the ITF said.
The National Olympic Committee of Kosovo had previously called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to demand an investigation into the incident and disciplinary proceedings against Djokovic from the ITF. In a statement, the IOC referred to the responsibility of the Grand Slam organizers. After beating the American Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round, the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner wrote on the lens of a TV camera: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence!”
Djokovic’s message ‘militant, very political’
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera criticized Djokovic’s political message as “inappropriate” and issued a warning to the Serbian tennis star. “When it comes to defending human rights and bringing people together around universal values, every athlete can do it,” she said on TV channel France 2. However, Djokovic’s message was “militant, very political” and shouldn’t be repeated.
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo spoke to Djokovic and his team and pointed out the principles of “neutrality”, the French sports minister reported. The organizers left open whether there were any concrete consequences for the campaign and only pointed out in a general statement that the same rules would apply to all Grand Slam tournaments.
The background to Djokovic’s action is the recent unrest in the Serbian-dominated north of Kosovo. Militant Serbs had protested against the appointment of new mayors in Zvecan and other municipalities. 30 soldiers of the NATO-led Kosovo Protection Force KFOR were injured. In addition, according to a hospital in Mitrovica, 53 Serbs were injured. Kosovo, which is now almost exclusively inhabited by Albanians, declared its independence in 2008. Serbia does not recognize the statehood of its former province and demands its return. Djokovic had stated that “as a public figure” he felt obliged “to show support for our people and all of Serbia”.
Wawrinka with the next five-sentence thriller
Top favorite Carlos Alcaraz meanwhile confidently reached the third round at the French Open despite a weak phase. The 20-year-old Spaniard only allowed himself a few negligence in the 6: 1, 3: 6, 6: 1, 6: 2 in 2:25 hours against the Japanese Taro Daniel in the second set. In gusty winds, both showed some spectacular rallies on the Philipp-Chartrier court. World number one Alcaraz was unimpressed by the loss of the first set in the tournament and continued on his way to the second Grand Slam title he was aiming for after the US Open in 2022. He now meets Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who is seeded in 26th position.
Veteran Stan Wawrinka experienced an emotional departure at his 18th French Open. The 38-year-old Swiss lost to the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis 6: 3, 5: 7, 3: 6, 7: 6 (7: 4), 3: 6. Two days after a spectacular five-set win in the first round, the strength was no longer sufficient for another energetic performance. When the 2015 winner left the pitch to the cheers of the spectators, he kept patting himself on the heart.
The Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas was the first title contender to advance to the third round. The 2021 finalist defeated Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. The 24-year-old reached the final at the Australian Open this year and is still waiting for his first Grand Slam triumph. Tsitsipas is now dealing with Argentinian Diego Schwartzman.