Under fire Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones gives public apology to Novak Djokovic after his controversial remarks at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic had accused Channel 9 broadcaster Tony Jones of mocking him and the Serbian fans after his fourth-round win.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X)
Channel 9 broadcaster Tony Jones mocked Novak Djokovic on live broadcast which according to him was just a ‘banter’. But his comments did not go down well with the Djokovic supporters and the Serbian great himself. Jones has now issued a public apology to the 24-year-old Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic, following his emphatic win over Jiri Lehecka in straight sets on Sunday (January 19), refused to do the customary on-court interview with Jim Courier, explaining later that he has nothing against Courier but as Channel 9 is the official broadcaster, he chose not to give the interview.
Jones sparked controversy when he tried to sledge a group of exuberant Serbian fans standing outside the Channel 9 booth at Melbourne Park by chanting, ‘Novak, he’s overrated! Novak’s a has-been! Novak, kick him out!’
I considered it to be humor, which is consistent with most things I do. Having said that, I was made aware on the Saturday morning from Tennis Australia via the Djokovic camp that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments.
Tony Jones said on Channel 9
Jones, who admitted that he ‘overstepped the mark’ with his ‘kick him out’ comment, which was perceived by fans to be the time when Djokovic was deported from Australia, has revealed that he wanted to meet the 10-time Australian Open champion’s camp to discuss the matter. Channel 9 also issued an apology.
As such, 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…I do apologize if he felt that I disrespected him.
Tony Jones added
#damageControlMode
— TRAVEL&Sp🎾rts (@travel__Sports) January 19, 2025
🔉🔊 Monday morning in Australia 🚨
TJ stands by the private "apology to the @DjokerNole camp" and "extended to the Serbian fans;" hope that "this case is now closed" pic.twitter.com/gTu4Talgd3
Novak Djokovic to play Carlos Alcaraz in blockbuster quarterfinal
Novak Djokovic will now want to move on from the controversy to shift his focus on to the quarterfinal match which he is set to play against Carlos Alcaraz. The match, scheduled on Tuesday (January 21), will be their eighth encounter.
Djokovic edges 4-3 in their head-to-head meetings. They last faced each other in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which the 37-year-old won in straight sets to clinch his first Olympic gold medal.
But in their last meeting on the ATP Tour, it was the Spaniard who emerged as a winner in the final of the 2024 Wimbledon. Before setting up the clash with Djokovic, Alcaraz received a walkover from Jack Draper in the fourth round.
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Gouri Das
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