On Sunday Novak Djokovic guided Serbia to the title at the inaugural ATP Cup with wins over Rafael Nadal before triumphing in the doubles. It was a day of celebration, but a video uploaded onto social media has stirred a debate.
A video surfaced of the 16-time grand slam champion and his team marking their triumph in Sydney. It was only the second time the country had won a men’s team tournament after the 2010 Davis Cup. The 60-second clip seemed harmless until Kosovo’s ambassador to Bulgaria, Edon Cana, took a swipe directly at Djokovic.
“After Military March Song they continued with Kosovo…! You can be ATP winner but still deep remain primitive, backward and ordinary Balkan nationalist and chauvinist!” Cana wrote on Twitter.
“Not accidentally Novak Djokovic has been the least liked and loved Tennis champion in History.”
Singling Djokovic out despite there being seven people in the video, Cana’s anger wasn’t about his actions in his video. It was what he was chanting to. One of the songs they were singing to is called “March on the River Drina.” It dates back to World War I, but was reportedly also sung by ultranationalist Serbian forces during the wars relating to the break-up of Yugoslavia. In 2013 Kosovo also sent a letter of protest to the UN after a Serbian choir sang that song at their headquarters. Saying the ‘war song’ was played while ‘Serbian aggressors ethnically cleansed the non-Serb population’ during the Bosnian war.
Kosovo declared independence back in 2008, however, they are not recognised by Serbia. At first there were no relations between the two, but talks have started in recent years.
Following Cana’s criticism, Djokovic’s father has hit back. Speaking on Prva TV Srdjan stated that the world No.2 had no malicious intent during his celebrations towards anybody. Describing his son as a ‘nationalist’ like himself.
“It is nothing to be ashamed of, we love our people and our country. But we do not hate other people and other countries.” B92.net quoted Srdjan as saying.
“You have come into our country and you know that it is our holy land, as Jerusalem for the Jews. Therefore, we will always be with our Kosovo and our people down there and don’t think that something will change in 10, 20, 100 or a thousand years. Kosovo will always be the heart of Serbia.”
Due to the volatility in the region, it is not the first time Djokovic has been criticised. Last year some Serbian politicians condemned him after he declared his support for Croatia in the football World Cup. A former member of Yugoslavia who declared independence in 1995 following conflict.
“The media often blow up stories too much. In some media, I was strongly condemned for supporting the Croatia national team, but I did not mind. I know a lot of things, and because of my name and influence, I can contribute to positive energy.” He said during an interview with gol.hr.
“Everyone is different, but it was logical to me. Who would I support if not Croatia? I feel they are mine too. I have that part in my family, so I always felt it. I respect that some people will be bothered by it, but let them also respect my choice.”
In a separate incident, former NBA player Darko Milicic criticised his decision for asking Goran Ivanisevic. Ivanisevic, who is from Croatia, joined his team back in July.
Djokovic will be the second seed at the Australian Open next week.
