French Open: defiant Djokovic stands by Kosovo statement; Tsitsipas, Alcaraz soar into third round at Roland Garros
- Novak Djokovic says he knows a lot of people disagree with his belief that Kosovo is heart of Serbia but ‘it’s something I stand for’
- Tsitsipas, chasing his first Grand Slam title, looked back to his best against Roberto Carballes Baena
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the French Open third round, but all the focus was on Novak Djokovic as a political row sparked by the two-times Roland Garros champion intensified.
Djokovic remained the hot topic as the fallout from his statement this week that “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” continued before his 7-6, 6-0, 6-3 second-round victory over Marton Fucsovics.
Unlike after his opening match on Monday, however, there was no message on the camera lens the Serbian signed and the 22-times Grand Slam champion looked to draw a line under the issue.
“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 said.
Djokovic missed last year’s Australian Open and was deported from the country over his refusal to take a Covid vaccine. He won the Melbourne title this year despite a row that erupted after his father posed with some fans holding Russian flags.
“A drama-free Grand Slam, I don’t think it can happen for me,” Djokovic said. “I guess that drives me, as well.”