Andy Murray's comments come after Novak Djokovic caused a backlash at the French Open. Credit: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Sir Andy Murray defended players' right to free speech during a row over Novak Djokovic's comments on Kosovo's independence.
Two-time Wimbledon champion says athletes should be allowed to make political statements at sporting events, but warned against «hypocrisy» when expressing one's views.
Although Sir Andy did not directly comment on Djokovic's comments, he said: «No athlete should be deprived of freedom of speech, I don't think that's fair.
«You often hear athletes, journalists and commentators say that sport and politics shouldn't mix, but they don't.»
Sir Andy's comments came after Djokovic drew backlash for his first match in Paris at the French Open on Monday after writing a nationalist slogan on a camera lens.
The Serbian tennis player wrote: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence.»
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was recognized by 100 countries, but Belgrade refused to do so.
Sir Andy added that athletes need to be «careful not to hypocrisy” when making public political statements.
Djokovic was unable to appear at last year's US Open and several other high-profile events due to countries' rules during the pandemic, which require attendees to prove they have been vaccinated.
Novak Djokovic's comments about Kosovo drew condemnation. Photo: ANNA KURTH/AFP via Getty Images
The player has been vocal about his opposition to vaccines, saying he «wouldn't want someone to force him to take a vaccine so he could travel.»
Sir Andy added: «When politics allegedly influenced decisions that damaged their [athletes'] careers, they argue that sport and politics should not mix.
«But then they are more than happy to talk about issues what they agree with.»
«They [athletes and players] love to be photographed with prime ministers and world leaders,» added Sir Andy, if their policies match.
«In In many countries, prime ministers and government officials celebrate victories and major victories for athletes. They are always present at sporting events and it is a privilege to be invited to the White House or Downing Street.
“We as athletes have a responsibility to try to bring people together, not necessarily divide them. each other.
“I think everyone should be allowed to have their say, I think that's very important. Just as it should be fine for everyone to disagree with them.»
Djokovic stood by his comments about Kosovo's independence despite French sports minister, former tennis player Amélie Oudéa-Castera, calling the tennis player's interference » very belligerent» and «inappropriate».
In recent days, Serbian demonstrations in northern Kosovo have escalated into violence over the appointment of ethnic Albanian mayors in a disputed election, and dozens of NATO peacekeepers have been injured.
After the match, Djokovic told Serbian newspaper Blic that he felt «responsible» for saying.
“I am not a politician and do not intend to get involved in political debate,” said Djokovic.
“As a Serb, I am very hurt by what is happening in Kosovo, our people who have been expelled from the municipalities. The least I could do is that I feel a responsibility as a public figure and the son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give support to all of Serbia.”
Sir Andy spoke before his speech at Wimbledon in next month. The 36-year-old pulled out of the French Open at the end of May to focus on preparing for Wimbledon, which he won in 2013 and 2016.
He said: «It was a difficult decision.»
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«My team thought that I would have a better chance at Wimbledon if I skipped the French Open and prepared earlier on grass courts.
grass courts should give me a good chance of doing well at Wimbledon.»
The Cromlix Hotel in Perthshire is one of several commercial businesses that supported the Murrays.
Wimbledon isn't Sir Andy's only target as he prepares for his retirement. One of his several business ventures is a sportswear brand he maintains called Castore.
The Manchester-based sportswear brand behind Sir Andy's clothing line AMC is worth £750m.
Sir Andy became a shareholder in 2019, deciding that the company could offer him a long-term deal that «would go far beyond [his] tennis career.»
“ It was a bigger deal than any other clothing deal I have ever done with any brand. He will be there after I play,” he added. This is his longest-running clothing brand deal.
Other ventures include the Cromlix Hotel, which he and his wife Kim Sears own in Scotland, a project that Sir Andy is «particularly proud of.»
p>< p>He added: «I am very attached to this hotel, so I want to continue to invest in it and continue to make it better.»
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