Novak Djokovic has received an apology from Australian broadcaster Tony Jones after he made comments the Serb didn't like at the Australian Open.
The Channel 9 presenter acknowledged his remarks, made during a broadcast on Friday night, had caused offence after Djokovic declined to participate in customary on-court interviews following his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday.
The incident occurred when Jones mocked a group of Djokovic supporters gathered outside the broadcast booth at Melbourne Park.
Jones was filmed singing: "Novak is overrated, Novak's a has-been, Novak kick him out".
Novak Djokovic has received an apology from Australian broadcaster Tony Jones after he made comments the Serb didn't like at the Australian Open
REUTERS
The broadcaster later claimed he thought the comments had been "banter" and said he had made an immediate private apology to the "Djokovic camp" once he realised they had not been taken as humour.
Djokovic took to social media to explain his decision to decline interviews with Channel 9, citing the broadcaster's failure to issue a public apology.
"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," Djokovic stated.
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Novak Djokovic was left furious following comments made by Tony Jones at the Australian Open
Channel9
The tennis star emphasised he had "nothing against Jim Courier or neither the Australian public" but felt the situation was "very awkward".
In his televised apology on Monday, Jones expressed particular regret over the "kick him out" comment, acknowledging it could be interpreted as a reference to Djokovic's 2022 deportation over Covid vaccination status.
"I should also say the disrespect was extended, in many ways, to the Serbian fans," Jones said.
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The presenter expressed remorse over damaging relations with Serbian supporters, stating: "We have built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans... I feel as though I've let down the Serbian fans."
Former Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter suggested the controversy could actually benefit Djokovic's performance on the court.
"I think Novak's in a pretty good head space, he's nice and angry. He plays his best tennis when he's angry," Rafter said.
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Djokovic is bidding to win an 11th Australian Open title this winter.
Should he manage to go all the way, he'll move one Grand Slam clear of Margaret Court with 25 majors to his name.
Novak Djokovic is currently preparing to face Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open
REUTERS
Djokovic is poised to lock horns with Carlos Alcaraz in a mouthwatering quarter-final showdown on Wednesday.
He lost to the Spaniard in the final of Wimbledon last summer but bounced back by beating his rival to secure gold at the Paris Olympics.
