Novak Djokovic: Australian broadcaster Tony Jones apologizes to 24-time Grand Slam champion and Serbian fans | Tennis news

Australian broadcaster 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 deemed “insulting and offensive”.

Djokovic refused to do the usual interview on the pitch after his fourth round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday pending a public apology from Jones and the Australian broadcast rights holders, Channel 9.

The 10-time Australian Open champion 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 announcer Jones taunted a group of chanting Djokovic fans behind him. who had gathered outside the broadcast stand at Melbourne Park on Friday chanting: “Novak is overrated, Novak’s been, Novak throw him out”.

In an interview on the channel on Monday, Jones said he believed the comments had been “banter” and he had immediately issued a private apology to the “Djokovic camp” when he realized they had not been taken in humour.

“I can stand by that apology to Novak,” he said. “I must also say that in many ways disrespect was extended to the Serbian fans.

“We’ve built a good relationship with the Serbian fans and there was banter and I thought what I did was an extension of that banter. It’s clearly not been interpreted that way.

“I feel that I have let the Serbian fans down.” Jones said the one comment he particularly regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted could only be interpreted as a reference to Djokovic’s consecutive deportation from Australia due to his Covid vaccination status in early 2022.

“It has angered Novak, which I fully understand now,” Jones said.

“It has been an unfortunate situation, it has been a personal anxiety for Novak, it is also clearly a personal anxiety for me.”

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from seventh-seeded Djokovic, who plays Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Djokovic said he had not received a public apology from the broadcaster and would continue to boycott them until he does.

Djokovic later posted a message on social media reiterating why he refused to speak.

“A few days ago, the famous sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster, Channel 9 here in Australia, made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments to me,” Djokovic said.

“And since then he chose not to give any public apology. Neither did Channel 9. So, as they are official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews to Channel 9.

“I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public. It was a very awkward situation for me to face on the field today. It’s unfortunate. I chose to say something to the crowd but obviously it wasn’t the time and place or situation for me to explain what I’m doing right now.

“I leave it to Channel 9 to deal with this as they see fit.”

Former Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter believes the streak could work in the Serb’s favour, saying: “I think Novak is in a pretty good headspace, he’s sweet and angry. He plays his best tennis when he is angry.”

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