Novak Djokovic: Australian broadcaster Tony Jones apologizes to the 24-time Grand Slam champion and Serbian fans | Tennis news
Australian television host Tony Jones has apologized to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis fans for comments he made on television on Friday night, which the 37-year-old found “offensive and insulting”.
Djokovic refused to do the usual on-court interview following his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecko on Sunday is awaiting a public apology from Jones and Australian rights holders Channel 9.
The 10-time Australian Open winner revealed in his post-match press conference that his anger was directed not at the crowd but at the broadcaster after an incident ahead of his third-round match when host Jones mocked a group of Djokovic fans chanting behind him who had gathered outside the broadcast booth at Melbourne Park, chanting: “Novak is overrated, Novak was, Novak kick him out”.
In an interview with the channel on Monday, Jones said he thought the comments were a “banter” and immediately apologized privately to the “Djokovic camp” after realizing they were not intended as humour.
“I can stand by the apology to Novak,” he said. “I should also say that disrespect has been expressed towards Serbian fans in many ways.
“We built a nice relationship with the Serbian fans, there was banter, and I thought that what I was doing was an extension of that banter. It is quite clear that it was not interpreted that way.
“I feel like I let the Serbian fans down.” Jones said one comment he particularly regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted could only be interpreted as a reference to Djokovic’s subsequent deportation from Australia due to his Covid vaccination status in early 2022.
“That pissed off Novak, which I completely understand now,” Jones said.
“It was an unfortunate situation, it was personal anxiety for Novak, it is quite clear that it is personal anxiety for me as well.”
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from seventh seed Djokovic, who plays Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Djokovic said that he had not received a public apology from the broadcaster and that he would continue to boycott them until he did.
Djokovic later posted a message on social media in which he reiterated why he refused to speak.
“A few days ago, a well-known sports journalist who works for the official television channel, Channel 9 here in Australia, made fun of Serbian fans and also made offensive and insulting comments towards me,” Djokovic said.
“And since then he has chosen not to issue any public apology. Neither has Channel 9. So, as they are the official broadcaster, I have chosen not to do interviews with Channel 9.
“I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public. It was a very uncomfortable situation that I faced on the field today. It’s unfortunate. I decided to say something to the crowd, but obviously it wasn’t the time and the place or the situation to explain what I’m doing right now .
“I leave it to Channel 9 to handle it as they see fit.”
Former Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter believes the spat could work in the Serb’s favour, saying: “I think Novak has a pretty good headspace, he’s nice and angry. He plays his best tennis when he’s angry.”
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