‘Inexcusable’: Outrage over Novak Djokovic photo with infamous figure
Novak Djokovic has caused uproar after he was pictured with an extremely controversial former military leader during a trip to Bosnia.
The World No.1 has been taking time off after a gruelling US Open campaign, which saw him lose to Daniil Medvedev in the final.
A tough 2021 season and the expectation of creating history took its toll on Djokovic as he broke down following his match.
Since his campaign in New York, Djokovic has taken time off from the ATP Tour.
But, Djokovic has caused international outrage after photos of him with former commander Milan Jolovic, nicknamed ‘The Legend’, made their way on social media.
Jolovic is the former commander of the paramilitary unit the Drina Wolves.
Many claim Jolovic saved the life of former war criminal Ratko Mladic, earning him the nickname.
In 2017, Mladic was convicted of war crimes and genocide for his time as a commander in the Bosnia war during the 1990s.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Drina Wolves were part of the Republika Srpska, according to Al Jazeera, and were later deemed to have committed genocide towards Bosniaks by international courts.
Jolovic has never been convicted of a war crime.
However this week, local media posted a photo of Djokovic having tea with the former commander.
The move sparked international outrage.
Political scientist Jasmin Mujanovic questioned how many sponsors Djokovic would lose as a result of the photo with Jolovic.