Australian broadcaster apologizes to Novak Djokovic after ‘has-been’ comments | World news

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An Australian broadcaster has apologized to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis fans after calling the 24-time Grand Slam champion “overrated” and a “has been”.

Djokovic37, refused to give a customary post-match interview to Channel Nine anchor Jim Courier after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on Australian Open on Sunday.

He told a press conference that his ire was not directed at the crowd but another Channel Nine presenter, Tony Jones, who allegedly taunted a group of chanting fans on Friday by chanting: “Novak is overrated, Novak has been, Novak kicks him. out.”

The tennis star said he also spoke to Craig Tiley, the head of Tennis Australia, and told him he would accept a fine if he did not give the interview if the body decided to issue one.

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Without referring to Mr. Jones by name, Djokovic later wrote on X on Sunday to say the comments “made a mockery of Serbian fans” and were “insulting and offensive” to him.

He said he hoped for a public apology and would continue to avoid speaking to Mr. Jones and the Nine Network until “something is done”.

Appearing on the Today program on Monday, Mr. Jones this apology, saying he meant the comments as “teasing”.

Television host Tony Jones during a live cross at the Melbourne Park venue for the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Picture:
Channel Nine presenter Tony Jones said his comments were “banter”. Photo: AP/Mark Baker

“I considered it humor, which is consistent with most things I do,” he said. “Having said that, it was brought to my attention … that the Djokovic camp was not at all happy with these comments.

“I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak.”

He also said he felt he had “let the Serbian fans down”.

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka after winning his fourth round match REUTERS/Edgar Su
Picture:
Djokovic and Jiri Lehecka shake hands after Sunday’s match. Image: Reuters/Edgar Su

He said the one comment he particularly regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted could only be taken as a reference to Djokovic’s consecutive deportation from Australia because of his Covid vaccination status in early 2022reported Sky Sports News.

Australia’s Nine Network also issued a statement on Monday apologizing to Djokovic “for any offense caused by comments made during a recent live cross”.

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It said: “No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans. We look forward to further showcasing his Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.”

Djokovic is scheduled to play no. 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.