Following his fourth-round victory at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic made headlines not only for his performance but also for a dispute with a local broadcaster. After winning against Jiri Lehecka, Djokovic chose to forgo a post-match interview, citing disrespectful comments made by Channel 9’s Tony Jones during a pre-match segment.

Background of the Incident

During a segment where he showcased Djokovic’s fans, Jones characterized the Serbian player, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, as “overrated” and a “has-been.” The broadcaster’s jabs included a reference to Djokovic’s past deportation from Australia, further escalating tensions with the athlete’s supporters.

Djokovic’s Response

After his match, Djokovic briefly addressed fans but opted out of the scheduled interview, later explaining his reasoning through a video. “A famous sports journalist here from Australia… decided to mock Serbian fans and made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” he stated, expressing his dissatisfaction with the broadcaster’s lack of an apology.

While Djokovic extended apologies to Jim Courier and other commentators not involved in the incident, he firmly stood by his decision to decline the interview until a formal acknowledgment of the disrespect was received from Jones and Channel 9.

Reactions and Apologies

The situation attracted considerable media attention, prompting reactions from various figures, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who acknowledged Djokovic’s talent and emphasized the need for respect. Following the outpouring of criticism, Tony Jones issued a personal apology, stating: “I stand by that apology to Novak if he felt any disrespect, which quite clearly he does.”

Channel 9 also released an official statement offering its apology, emphasizing that no offense was intended. The statement read: “Nine would like to apologize to Novak Djokovic for any offense caused from comments made during a recent live cross.” Tennis Australia noted that Djokovic appreciated the apology and was ready to move forward.

Upcoming Matches

As the tournament progresses, Djokovic, a record holder with ten Australian Open titles, is now focused on his upcoming quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, scheduled for Tuesday. The Serbian star aims to continue his successful campaign in Melbourne, hoping to add to his illustrious career tally.