Australian Open 2025: Channel Nine broadcaster Tony Jones apologizes to Novak Djokovic for comments

Djokovic, a 10-time champion at Melbourne Park, will face world number three Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Channel Nine also apologized, saying “no harm was intended to Novak or his fans”.

The Serbian Council of Australia has called for Jones to be fired, saying his comments were “offensive, racist and only serve to encourage further discrimination against Australian-Serbs”.

Jones said he particularly felt he had “overstepped the mark” with his “kick him out” comment – which he accepted could be interpreted as a reference to Djokovic’s 2022 deportation from Australia due to the country’s Covid-19 rules.

“It has angered Novak — I totally get that,” Jones said.

“It has been an unfortunate situation and one with personal anxiety for Novak and personal anxiety for me as well. The priority now is to focus on tennis. He has a great match and I hope he can focus on that.

“I can only tell Novak again what I told him 48 hours ago, which is that I apologize if he feels I disrespected him.

“I arranged to meet him in person, they came back and yes, it hasn’t happened yet, but I hope it will happen in the next 24 hours.”

Tennis Australia said: “Novak acknowledges that the apology has been made publicly as requested and will now move on and focus on his next match.”