Novak Djokovic gets apologies from Tony Jones, TV channel

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic got the mea culpas he wanted from Australian Open local TV station and its employee who insulted him on air, and so the 24-time Grand Slam champion is ready to concentrate on his quarter-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

“Novak acknowledges that the apology has been made publicly as requested,” read a statement issued Monday by Tennis Australia, “and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.”

It might draw a curtain on the bizarre off-court distraction as Djokovic pursues what would be an 11th championship at Melbourne Park and a record 25th major trophy overall.

After winning at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night to set up the contest against No. 3 Alcaraz, Djokovic declined to do the customary post-match on-court TV interview, but did not immediately say why, prompting some jeers from the crowd. Only later that evening, at his press conference, did Djokovic explain that he was taking a stand to protest comments made by Tony Jones on Channel 9 on Friday.

Djokovic, a 37-year-old from Serbia, did not name Jones but said a “famous sports journalist who works for the official channel Channel 9 … made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments to me.”

Jones called Djokovic overrated and a has-been, making what appeared to be a reference to when the player was deported from Australia in 2022 because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic added that he would continue to avoid talking to the network without an apology from it and Jones.

They finally arrived on Monday.

The Nine Network said in a statement that they apologized “for any offense caused by comments” while live on air.

“No harm was intended against Novak or his fans,” the statement continued. “We look forward to further showcasing his Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.”

During an appearance on a television show on Monday, Jones said he intended his words to be “teasing” and apologized to Djokovic “if he felt I disrespected him.”

“I considered it to be humor, which is consistent with most things I do,” Jones said. “Having said that, it was brought to my attention … that the Djokovic camp was not at all happy with those comments. I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand here now, I stand by it Apologies to Novak.”

Jones also offered words to Serbs.

“I feel like I’ve let the Serbian fans down,” he said. “I’m not just saying this to try to get out of trouble or anything. I really feel for those fans.”

Serbia’s ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, even got involved on Monday, telling the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper that Jones’ comments were “clearly unprofessional”, including a “most worrying” reference to what happened three years ago when Djokovic was evicted out of the country ahead of the tournament amid the pandemic.

Before Jones and his employer offered their apologies, Djokovic posted a message on social media reiterating why he declined to speak. It dragged a response from billionaire X owner Elon Muskwho said, “It’s far better to just speak directly to the public than to go through the negativity filter of legacy media.”

Djokovic responded to Musk’s tweet with “Indeed” and a raised hands emoji.

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AP Sports Writer John Pye in Brisbane, Australia, contributed.

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