Novak Djokovic drama escalates as family obstruct TV camera during Australian Open clash
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Novak Djokovic's team members were caught covering up a television camera during his Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz.
The unusual incident occurred as the Serbian tennis star faced off against Alcaraz in the crucial quarter-final match in Melbourne.
Members of Djokovic's entourage were observed blocking the view of a TV camera during the ongoing match.
A camera at the side of the court panned towards Djokovic's family, with his wife Jelena Djokovic and kids sat down in the front row.
A man then sprung up out of his seat and pulled out what appeared to be a wristband and used it to block the camera's view.
The incident follows on from Djokovic's staged protest after his win over Jiri Lehecka in the previous round.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion raised eyebrows when he opted not to answer questions on the court with Jim Courier.
Djokovic later revealed he was making a stand against Australian network Channel Nine, who's reporter Tony Jones caused a stir with remarks he made on TV earlier in the week.
During a segment live on TV filmed in front of boisterous Djokovic fans, Jones said: "Novak, he's overrated, Novak's a has-been, Novak kick him out."
Novak Djokovic's camp didn't want to be on camera
REUTERS
Djokovic felt Jones "made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me" and demanded an apology.
Jones responded by apologising for his comments on Monday, insisting no disrespect was meant.
He said: "I'm disappointed it come to this because the comments were made on the news on the Friday night which I considered to be banter and humour - which is consistent with what I do.
"However, 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.
"I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them – 48 hours ago – for any disrespect which Novak felt I had caused.
"As I stand here now I stand by that apology to Novak if he feels any disrespect, which he clearly does.
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Novak Djokovic lost the opening set to Carlos Alcaraz
REUTERS
"The disrespect extends to the Serbian fans – over the years here there has been colour with them and passion and banter, and I thought that was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that hasn't been interpreted that way.
"I do feel I've let down the Serbian fans. I'm not just saying that to wriggle out of trouble. I genuinely feel for those fans."
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