Novak Djokovic says he will not conduct on-court interviews at the Australian Open until he receives an apology for “disrespect” from an Australian television presenter. Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones was conducting a sport segment from Melbourne Park in front of Serbian fans on Friday,
Djokovic demanded a public apology from Tony Jones over “offensive comments” he made about the former world No. 1 during a live broadcast.
Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and fans of the Serbian for comments he made on TV on Friday night that the 10-times Australian Open champion considered "insulting and offensive".
Novak Djokovic has declined to do a customary post-match TV interview at the Australian Open to protest comments made on air by someone who works for the official broadcaster of the tournament in the host country,
Alex de Minaur is through to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time, defeating American giant-killer Alex Michelsen.
Novak Djokovic has received the apologies he wanted from the Australian Open’s local broadcaster and its employee who insulted him on the air.
Tony Jones, a longtime presenter on Australia’s Channel Nine, has become synonymous with both sports broadcasting excellence and live TV controversies. His recent remarks about Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open reignited public scrutiny of a career littered with awkward exchanges,
Jones revealed that he had offered to meet Djokovic in person to apologise directly. While Djokovic’s team had expressed interest in a face-to-face conversation, the meeting had not yet taken place. Nevertheless, Jones stated that he was hopeful the meeting would occur soon, underscoring his desire to mend relations with the tennis star.
Djokovic has been known to pick a battle with fans in the crowd because it spurs him to play better, and he often thrives off being public enemy No.1. The 10-time Australian Open champion will meet Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals in Melbourne, but will head into the match as a heavy underdog.