Victory celebration video: Novak Djokovic arouses the anger of a Kosovar ambassador
The Serbian team lifted the trophy of the ATP Cup with huge cheers last Sunday. A few hours after the final victory over Spain, a video appeared on social media showing the Serbs singing a march. A Kosovar ambassador reacted indignantly - and sharply attacked Serbian number one, Novak Djokovic.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 15, 2020, 10:09 am
Viktor Troicki and Novak Djokovic broke all dams when, after an hour and 15 minutes, they turned their first match point in the doubles match against Pablo Carreno Busta and Feliciano Lopez, officially calling themselves the first ATP Cup winners.
Together with the many Serbian fans in the Ken Rosewall Arena, the Serbs celebrated the triumph frenetically. And the party continued for Djokovic & Co in the catacombs too: A few hours after the victory, however, a video appeared on social media showing the Serbian team singing a march.
What seemed harmless at first glance quickly became a hotly debated topic with a tweet from the Kosovar Ambassador to Bulgaria, Edon Cana. The march is said to be a war song that is said to have been sung by ultra-nationalist Serbs. For Kosovo - which declared independence in 2008 but was not recognized by Serbia - singing this song is obviously a provocation. In any case, Edon Cana found quite drastic words for the number two in the world:
"You can be ATP winner, but still remain a deeply primitive, backward and simple Balkan nationalist and chauvinist!" Wrote Cana on Twitter. It is not for nothing - according to Cana - that Djokovic is the most unpopular tennis champion in history. Other users were also outraged by the video and accused Djokovic of supporting a Serbian nationalist stance.
Djokovic's father reacts to the allegations
Now Djokovic's father spoke up about the allegations. Speaking to a Serbian TV broadcaster, he said Novak Djokovic had no malicious intentions towards anyone. "It is not something to be ashamed of, we love our people and our country. But we do not hate other people and other countries," quotes the online medium B.92.net.
It is not the first time that Djokovic has been criticized in such a cause. When the Serb declared in 2018 to support Croatia in the World Cup, Serbian politicians and media condemned it. "The media often inflate stories too much. In some media I was strongly condemned for supporting the Croatian national team, but I didn't mind. I know a lot of things, and my name and influence can contribute to positive energy." said Djokovic at the time.
Focus on Australian Open for Djokovic
The current discussion will hardly affect the Serbs at the moment, as the next season highlight is just around the corner. On January 20, the 32-year-old starts his title defense project at the Australian Open. Thanks to his athletic performance at the ATP Cup, Novak Djokovic is again the top favorite at the first Grand Slam of the year and will do everything he can to secure his eighth title in Melbourne.