Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis followers for feedback he made on TV on Friday evening 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 exterior the printed 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 that they had 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.
“We have now constructed up a pleasant rapport with the Serbian followers, and there was banter, and I believed what I used to be doing was an extension of that banter. Fairly clearly that has not been interpreted that method.
“I feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans.” Jones stated the one remark he notably regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted might 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 completely understand now,” Jones stated.
“It has been an unfortunate situation, it has been one of personal angst for Novak, it’s quite clearly personal angst for me as well.”
There was no quick response to a request for remark from seventh seed Djokovic, who performs Carlos Alcaraz within the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Djokovic stated he had not acquired a public apology from the broadcaster and would proceed boycotting them till he does.
Djokovic later posted a message on social media reiterating why he declined to talk.
“A couple of 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 towards me,” stated Djokovic.
“And, since then, he chose not to issue any public apology. Neither did Channel 9. So, since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel 9.
“I’ve nothing in opposition to Jim Courier or neither the Australian public. It was a really awkward state of affairs for me to face on the court docket at present. It is unlucky. I selected to say one thing to the group, however clearly wasn’t the time and house or state of affairs for me to clarify what I am doing proper now.
“I leave it to Channel 9 to handle this the way they think they see fit.”
Former Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter believes the row might play within the Serbian’s favour, saying: “I think Novak’s in a pretty good head space, he’s nice and angry. He plays his best tennis when he’s angry.”
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