Australian broadcaster apologises to Novak Djokovic, Serbian fans
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Serbia's Novak Djokovic during his Australian Open fourth-round win against the Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka on Jan 19.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MELBOURNE – Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and his fans for comments he made on TV on Jan 17 that the 10-time Australian Open champion considered “insulting and offensive”.
Djokovic declined to do the customary on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Jan 19 pending a public apology from Jones and Australian broadcast rights holders Channel Nine.
Djokovic said he would boycott interviews with the TV station until he got an apology.
The Serb later released a short video on X to explain his stance to fans, which has been viewed more than 70 million times.
Former world number No. 1 Boris Becker, Australian Nick Kyrgios, Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill and two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka all spoke out in support of Djokovic.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged more “kindness and generosity”.
“I’ve seen the comments made by (Jones). We need more kindness and generosity and respect across the board,” he told ABC radio.
Jones had mocked Djokovic and the Serb’s fans who had gathered outside Channel Nine’s broadcast booth at Melbourne Park on Jan 17, saying the 24-time Grand Slam champion was “overrated” and a “has-been”.
In an interview on the channel on Jan 20, Jones said he thought the comments had been “banter” and he had immediately made a private apology to the “Djokovic camp” once he realised they had not been taken in humour.
“I can stand by that apology to Novak,” he said.
“I should also say the disrespect was extended, in many ways, to the Serbian fans. We have built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans... and there was banter, and I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly, that has not been interpreted that way.
“I feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans.”
Jones said the comment he particularly regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted could only be construed as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in a row over his Covid-19 vaccination status in 2022.
“That has angered Novak, which I completely understand now,” Jones said.
Jones was also a target for Danielle Collins after he labelled the American a “brat” on Jan 17 after she thanked Australian Open hecklers for “paying my bills” in her defeat of home hope Destanee Aiava.
Tennis Australia said Djokovic, who acknowledged the apology, wanted to move on. REUTERS, AFP
