Novak Djokovic's mural in Kosovo was defaced overnight after locals expressed fear of that happening when it was first painted in March of last year.
The painted mural was part of a project that was supposed to highlight Serbian individuals in places where Serbs live in Kosovo. The country gained independence from Serbia in 2008 after years of ethnic tensions between Albanians and Serbs. The tensions date back to the region part of Yugoslavia with predominantly Serbian authority in the region.
Many years later, peace returned to the region with a new country emerging out of it but the ethnic tensions remain. Minor clashes between Albanians and Serbs happen daily and this act is just one of many provocations that happen on both sides daily. The mural was defaced overnight with a local Serbian official writing on social media:
“Kurti's hooligans destroyed the mural of our @DjokerNole in Orahovac last night."
He added:
“No matter how much hatred extremists have, they will never be able to undo the successes of [Serbian] the champion and the best tennis player in the world and his love for Kosovo and Metohija! When they don't have their own, they destroy other people's!”
Kуртијеви хулигани ноћас су уништили мурал нашем @DjokerNole у Ораховцу. Kолика год да је мржња екстремиста, никада неће моћи да пониште успехе 🇷🇸 шампиона и најбољег тенисера света и његову љубав према Kосову и Метохији! Kад немају своје, уништавају туђе!
