Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his fourth-round match against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendan Ratnayake)
MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic got exactly the offense he wanted from the Australian Open’s local broadcaster and its staff, who insulted him on air and so, according to tournament organizers, the 24-time Grand Slam champion will lose focus on his quarterfinal clash. Ready to concentrate. With Carlos Alcaraz.
“Novak acknowledges that he has publicly apologized as requested,” a statement from Tennis Australia said Monday, “and he is now moving on and focusing on his next match.”
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This will, perhaps, curtain the bizarre off-court distraction as Djokovic chases an 11th championship at Melbourne Park and a record 25th major trophy overall.
Read: Djokovic apologizes on-air for ‘disrespectful’ comments
After winning the match against No. 3 Alcaraz at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday evening, Djokovic declined to give a traditional post-match interview on Court TV, but did not immediately explain why, causing some jeers from viewers. Made. Later that night, at his press conference, Djokovic explained that he was taking a stand to protest comments made by Tony Jones on Channel 9 on Friday.
Djokovic, 37, of Serbia, did not mention Jones by name, but said, “A well-known sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster Channel 9… he made fun of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me.”
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Jones called Djokovic overrated and ‘has-been’ and said it was a reference to when the player was deported from Australia in 2022 because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Djokovic said he would continue to avoid talking to the network without apologizing to the network and Jones.
They finally arrived on Monday.
The Nine Network said in a statement that it apologized for any offense caused by comments made during the live broadcast.
The statement continued, “No harm was intended to Novak or his fans.” “We look forward to showcasing his Australian Open campaign further at Melbourne Park.”
Read: Australian Open: Djokovic will not talk to TV networks without apologizing
During a TV show appearance on Monday, Jones said he had meant his words as a “joke” and apologized to Djokovic “if he felt I disrespected him.”
Jones said, “I considered it humorous, which is in line with most of the things I do.” “Having said that, I was made aware… that the Djokovic camp was not at all happy with those comments. I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and apologized. And as I stand here now, I stand by the apology I offered to Novak.”
Jones also gave words to the Serbians.
“I feel like I let the Serbian fans down,” he said. “I’m not saying this just to avoid trouble or anything. I really feel for those fans.
Serbia’s ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, also got involved on Monday, telling the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper that Jones’ comments were “categorically unprofessional” and a “most worrying” reflection of what happened three years ago. Reference was also included to when Djokovic was deported from the country. Before the tournament amid the pandemic.
Before Jones and his employer apologized, Djokovic posted a message on social media reiterating why he declined to speak. This prompted a response from billionaire
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Djokovic responded to Musk’s tweet with “Indeed” and a raised hands emoji.
