US Open doubles champ raises social issues with shirt, words

Dutch tennis player Jean-Julien Rojer wore a shirt showing the Statue of Liberty while winning the U.S. Open men's doubles championship on Friday to send what he called a message about peace and freedom in the aftermath of last month's violence at a rally of neo-Nazis and white nationalists in Charlottseville, Virginia.

Jean-Julien Rojer, of Holland, left, and Horia Tecau, of Romania, hold up the championship trophy after beating Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez, both of Spain, in the doubles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

"I just wanted to have the conversation going (by) promoting ... freedom and justice, liberty, for everybody on gender issues, on racial issues, which we deal a lot with in this country," said Rojer, who was born in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, and moved to Florida when he was 12 to work with a private coach.

"I feel in tennis we don't say much about it, but this is just tennis," Rojer said. "We deal with real life issues out there."

Rojer and his doubles partner, Horia Tecau of Romania, won their first title at Flushing Meadows by beating the 11th-seeded Spaniards Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

Dutch tennis player Jean-Julien Rojer, left, talks with ESPN reporter Tom Rinaldi as doubles partner Horia Tech, of Romania, listens, after the two won the doubles championship match against Marc Lopez, and Feliciano Lopez, of Spain after the doubles championship match of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

During the on-court trophy ceremony in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Rojer spoke about his yellow T-shirt with a black-and-white image of the Statue of Liberty and red, white and blue stripes across the chest. He said it's part of a clothing line made by a friend of his.

"The idea came after the tragic incident in Charlottesville, and we came up with this line, promoting peace and freedom and liberty," Rojer said. "Hopefully we're moving in that direction. I've been here since I'm 12 years old and I'm happy they let me in and I got to do my job here. So hopefully we will create those opportunities for everybody."

Tecau said that professional athletes should feel free to state their political views.

"It's nice to send this message and spread it, because you have a lot of people that look up to you. Jules is an outspoken guy. You know, he'll talk more than other players, but I think as role models for the generations that are behind us, the young generation, it's important to see that, as well," Tecau said. "We're not just athletes competing, you know, for Slams and prize money and glory."

Jean-Julien Rojer, of Holland, right, returns a shot as doubles partner Horia Tecau, of Romania, looks on during the championship doubles match of the U.S. Open tennis tournament against Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez, both of Spain, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Added Rojer, who was an All-American tennis player at UCLA: "It's important that everybody do their job or do their part, and that's how you make either change or progress, because we do it. And maybe I change five people's minds, you know. It's a step in the right direction. ... But we all have a platform and we have to be conscious of our actions and respectful of each other."

This is the second Grand Slam title for the 12th-seeded Tecau and Rojer, who also won Wimbledon in 2015.

They are currently on a 10-match winning streak, including a victory over top-seeded Henri Kontinen and John Peers in the U.S. Open semifinals.

"It's tough when you get to these matches. Tension, expectations, everything around. People start calling you. Messages. But you just try to stay focused (on) one more match," Tecau said. "That's what we did so well towards the end of the tournament. Pushed each other to stay focused one more match and to execute."

The two Lopezes, who are not related, won the 2016 French Open.

Marc Lopez, lower left, and Feliciano Lopez, both of Spain, slap hands after winning a point against Horia Tecau, of Romania, top right, and Jean-Julien Rojer, of Holland, during the championship match of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Jean-Julien Rojer, of Holland, right, and Horia Tecau, of Romania talk between serves to Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez, both of Spain, during the championship doubles match of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Horia Tecau, of Romania, left, and Jean-Julien Rojer, of Holland, celebrate after beating Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, and Marc Lopez in the doubles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. airstrike in Syria in May 2023 that was targeting an al-Qaida leader killed an innocent civilian instead, U.S. Central Command said Thursday, confirming early reports from residents and family members shortly after the attack.

U.S. Central Command said an investigation into the May 3 strike concluded that U.S. forces misidentified the intended al-Qaida target “and that a civilian, Mr. Lufti Hasan Masto, was struck and killed.”

Shortly after the drone strike, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said it had hit a chicken farm near the town of Harem, killing one person. And just days later, relatives and neighbors told The Associated Press that the person killed was a farmer who raised sheep, chickens and cattle and had no involvement with armed groups.

Masto’s brother, Mohamed Masto, said reports that his brother, 60, was involved with al-Qaida were “absolute lies” and his killing was “an injustice and an aggression.” Instead, Masto was simply tending his sheep when the strike hit.

Central Command said the investigation into the strike was completed last November — but it wasn't released publicly until Thursday.

In a statement, Central Command said much of the investigation and findings are classified but acknowledged it revealed “several issues that could be improved.”

“What we can share is the investigation concluded the strike was conducted in compliance with the law of armed conflict as well as Department of Defense and CENTCOM policies,” the statement said. “We are committed to learning from this incident and improving our targeting processes to mitigate potential civilian harm.”

The Defense Department has come under fire over the course of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria for killing civilians in airstrikes. It set up a detailed investigation and review process for strikes when there are allegations of innocent people being killed.

The U.S. also continues to target al-Qaida and Islamic State leaders in Syria, including the 2017 airstrike that killed Abu al-Kheir al-Masri, a former aide to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida’s second in command in Syria.

FILE - Mohammed Hassan Masto sits next to the grave of his brother Lutfi on May 7, 2023, in the village of Qorqanya, a rural area in northern Idlib province, Syria. Central Command said Thursday, May 2, 2024, an airstrike in Syria that was targeting an al-Qaida leader misidentified the intended target and killed Lutfi Hassan Masto instead. The investigation confirms early reports from residents and family members shortly after the attack. (AP Photo/Omar Albam, File)