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

Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis followers for feedback he made on TV on Friday night time that the 37-year-old thought of “insulting and offensive”.

Djokovic declined to do the customary on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday pending a public apology from Jones and Australian broadcast rights holders Channel 9.

The ten-time Australian Open champion revealed in his post-match press convention that his ire was not directed on the crowd however on the broadcaster following an incident forward of his third-round match when presenter Jones mocked a bunch of chanting Djokovic followers behind him that had gathered outdoors the published sales space at Melbourne Park on Friday, by singing, “Novak is overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out”.

In an interview on the channel on Monday, Jones stated he thought the feedback had been “banter” and he had instantly made a personal apology to the “Djokovic camp” as soon as he realised they’d not been taken in humour.

“I can stand by that apology to Novak,” he stated. “I must also say the disrespect was prolonged, in some ways, to the Serbian followers.

“Now we have constructed up a pleasant rapport with the Serbian followers, and there was banter, and I assumed what I used to be doing was an extension of that banter. Fairly clearly that has not been interpreted that manner.

“I really feel as if I’ve let down the Serbian followers.” Jones stated the one remark he significantly regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted may solely be construed as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in a row over his Covid vaccination standing in early 2022.

“That has angered Novak which I fully perceive now,” Jones stated.

“It has been an unlucky state of affairs, it has been considered one of private angst for Novak, it is fairly clearly private angst for me as properly.”

On Sunday, Djokovic stated he had not acquired a public apology from the broadcaster and would proceed boycotting them till he does.

Djokovic seems more likely to change his stance, ought to he pull off victory over Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday, with a Tennis Australia spokesperson saying: “Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested and is now shifting on and specializing in his subsequent match.”

Seventh seed Djokovic takes on Alcaraz within the quarter-finals on Tuesday from round 9.30am GMT.

Djokovic later posted a message on social media reiterating why he declined to talk.

“A few days in the past the well-known sports activities journalist who works for the official broadcaster, Channel 9 right here in Australia, made a mockery of Serbian followers and in addition made insulting and offensive feedback in direction of me,” stated Djokovic.

“And, since then, he selected to not concern any public apology. Neither did Channel 9. So, since they’re official broadcasters, I selected to not give interviews for Channel 9.

“I’ve nothing towards Jim Courier or neither the Australian public. It was a really awkward state of affairs for me to face on the court docket in the present day. It is unlucky. I selected to say one thing to the gang, however clearly wasn’t the time and area or state of affairs for me to elucidate what I am doing proper now.

“I go away it to Channel 9 to deal with this the best way they suppose they see match.”

Former Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter believes the row may play within the Serbian’s favour, saying: “I believe Novak’s in a reasonably good head area, he is good and offended. He performs his finest tennis when he is offended.”

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