Broadcaster apologizes to Djokovic, Serbian fans for comments

MELBOURNE, Australia – Australian broadcaster Tony Jones apologized Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis fans after he admittedly crossed the line in berating fans during a news segment on Friday.

The apology came after Djokovic skipped the usual on-court interview on Sunday night following his fourth-round victory at the Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam winner said it was a protest from Jones and Australian host station Channel 9.

In his news item on Friday, Jones claimed Serbian fans by saying that Djokovic was “overrated”, a “has been” and to “kick him out.”

On Monday morning, Jones appeared on Channel 9’s “Today” morning show to issue an apology to Djokovic and the Serbian tennis fans after Djokovic said he would not engage with the local broadcaster until a public apology was issued.

Jones said he believed he was engaging in “banter” with the fans, but admitted he crossed the line.

“The comments were made on the Friday night news that I took to be banter,” Jones said. “I considered it humor, which is consistent with most of what I do.

“Having said that, I was made aware on Saturday morning, from Tennis Australia via the Djokovic camp, that the Djokovic camp was not at all happy with these comments. As such, I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them – – that was 48 hours ago – for any disrespect Novak felt that I caused and as I stand here now, I can only stand by that apology to Novak if he felt any disrespect, which he clearly does .”

Jones said he felt he “overstepped the mark” with the “kick him out” comment, which “can only be interpreted as a throwback to the COVID years.”

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

Djokovic was barred from defending his Australian Open title in 2022 because he refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and he said earlier this month that he still experiences trauma every time he visits Melbourne because of it.

“It’s been an unfortunate situation — one with personal anxiety for Novak and personal anxiety for me as well,” Jones said. “The priority now is to focus on tennis again. I can only tell Novak again what I told him 48 hours ago, and that is to apologize if he felt I disrespected him.”

As for the Serbian fans, Jones said he apologized to those who bring “so much color and passion” to the tournament.

“We’ve built a good relationship with the Serbian fans,” Jones said. “They bring flags and so much color and passion. There’s banter and I thought what I did was an extension of that banter. It’s obviously not been interpreted that way. I feel like I’ve let Serbian fans down. “

Djokovic clarified on Sunday night why he skipped the on-court interview in a video posted on social media platform X after the match, and he also issued a statement during his post-match press conference before taking questions.

Djokovic is not the first player to call out Jones’ behavior during the tournament. American Danielle Collinsranked as no. 11 in the world, Jones mentioned after her third-round loss to the countryman Madison Keys.

Collins said Jones called her a “brat” in a radio segment in response to her taunting the Australian crowd earlier in the tournament.

“I love this old guy. Tony? Tony Jones?” Collins said. “… I just loved how he called me a brat. And like, it’s just like Gen Z and Millennial right now. It’s (singer) Charli XCX and I really want him to dance like she does .He has to do it.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, when asked by the country’s national public broadcaster ABC if he thought Djokovic deserved an apology, said: “I’ll let it go through to the keeper, it’s a matter between them, but I think ​​Novak Djokovic is definitely a good tennis player. There is no doubt about it.”

“And I think there’s room for more respect,” Albanese continued. “I’ve seen the comments that were made by the broadcaster that we need more kindness and generosity and respect, right across the board. I think that’s what people are looking for.”

Djokovic will next face the No. 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Tuesday.