Novak Djokovic defiantly insisted on Wednesday “it’s something I stand for" regarding the controversy over his explosive comments about Kosovo earlier this week at the French Open.

On Monday, the 22-time Grand Slam champion wrote “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" on a TV camera after his first match at Roland Garros.

“I would say it again, but I don’t need to because you have my quotes," he said after making the third round on Wednesday with a straights sets win over Marton Fucsovics.

“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 had defended his message in comments to Serb media, saying that Kosovo is Serbia’s “cradle, our stronghold".

The International Tennis Federation (ITF), the governing body of the sport, said they had received a request from the Kosovo Tennis Federation demanding Djokovic be sanctioned over his actions. 

Incidentally, Djokovic who eased into the third round of French Open on Wednesday repeated saying, “I would say it again, but I don’t need to because you have my quotes," said Djokovic on Wednesday.

“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."

There was plenty of drama on the court too during an 87-minute opening set which saw Djokovic broken while he was serving for it.

However, Kosovo’s top Olympic body said Wednesday it had asked the International Olympic Committee to open disciplinary proceedings against Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic over his public statements on clashes in the country.

On Monday, after confrontations began between ethnic Albanians and Serbs, Djokovic scrawled the message “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" on a camera following his victory in the opening round of Roland Garros.

A Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOC) spokesman told AFP on Wednesday that Djokovic was “stirring up" political tensions.