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Oudea-Castera said she made a distinction for messages in support of Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion, adding that she did not put Kosovo and Ukraine "on the same level".

That includes supporting Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk, who was booed by the crowd after she refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Sunday.

Belarus is an ally of Russia and allowed troops to use its territory to launch last year's invasion of Ukraine.

"What's happening for Ukrainians on the circuit is so painful, so difficult," said Oudea-Castera.

"You can understand [Kostyuk's refusal to shake hands]. Even if you'd like there always to be fair play up to and including the handshake, there's pain and I respect it."

Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who has repeatedly spoken out about tennis' response to the Russian invasion, said Djokovic should be allowed to give his view.

"We are living in the free world, so why not say your opinion on something?" said Svitolina, after beating Storm Hunter in round two.

"I feel like if you stand for something, you think this is the way, you should say."

Djokovic, 36, has defended his message, which he wrote immediately after his first-round win over Aleksandar Kovacevic on Tuesday.

Speaking to Serbian journalists the 22-time Grand Slam singles champion, whose father was born in Kosovo, said he was "against wars, violence and any kind of conflict" but that the situation in Kosovo is a "precedent in international law".

"Especially as a son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to our people and to the entirety of Serbia," said Djokovic.

"Kosovo is our cradle, our stronghold, the center of the most important things for our country. There are many reasons why I wrote that on the camera.

"Of course, it hurts me very much as a Serb to see what is happening in Kosovo and how our people have been practically expelled from the municipal offices, so the least I could do was this."

Kosovo Olympic authorities have asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to open disciplinary proceedings against Djokovic, accusing him of stirring up political tension.

"Novak Djokovic has yet again promoted the Serbian nationalists' propaganda and used the sport platform to do so," said Ismet Krasniqi, president of Kosovo's Olympic Committee.

On Tuesday the Tennis Federation of Kosovo said Djokovic's actions would "directly result" in increasing tension between the two countries.

The French Tennis Federation, which organises the French Open, said there are no rules on what players can say at Grand Slams, and that it is "understandable" that discussions about international news events took place at the tournament.

"The same rules apply to all four Grand Slams. The tournament referee and Grand Slam Supervisors ensure that these rules are complied with," read a statement.