MELBOURNE, Australia — The host broadcaster has apologized after Novak Djokovic declined to do a customary post-match on courtroom interview on the Australian Open Sunday to protest feedback made on air by somebody who works for the TV community.
Djokovic mentioned he needed an apology from Channel 9 and Tony Jones, who known as the 24-time Grand Slam champion overrated and a has-been throughout an on-air look at Melbourne Park the place a crowd of the participant’s supporters have been chanting.
Djokovic, a 37-year-old from Serbia, didn’t title Jones, however mentioned a “well-known sports activities journalist who works for official broadcaster, Channel 9 … made a mockery of Serbian followers and likewise made insulting and offensive feedback towards me.”
Djokovic mentioned he would proceed to keep away from chatting with the community.
“I go away it to Channel 9 to deal with this the best way they suppose they see match. That’s all,” Djokovic mentioned.
Australia’s 9 Community issued a press release Monday and apologized to Djokovic “for any offense brought on from feedback made throughout a current reside cross.”
“No hurt was supposed in direction of Novak or his followers,” the assertion mentioned. “We look ahead to additional showcasing his Australian Open marketing campaign at Melbourne Park.”
Jones appeared on the Immediately program Monday to apologize, and mentioned he meant the feedback as “banter.”
“I thought-about it to be humor, which is in keeping with most issues I do,” he mentioned. “Having mentioned that, I used to be made conscious … that the Djokovic camp was not glad in any respect with these feedback.
“I instantly contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand right here now, I stand by that apology to Novak.”
Jones additionally apologized to any Serbian followers who didn’t interpret his feedback as humorous.
“I do really feel as if I’ve let down the Serbian followers,” he mentioned. “I’m not simply saying this to try to wriggle out of hassle or something. I genuinely really feel for these followers.”
“So, I can solely once more inform Novak what I advised him 48 hours in the past. And that’s I do apologize if he felt that I disrespected him.”
After beating Jiri Lehecka in three units at Rod Laver Area on Sunday to achieve the quarterfinals, Djokovic was anticipated to talk to former participant Jim Courier on tv. As an alternative, Djokovic held the microphone and advised the group: “Thanks very a lot for being right here tonight. I respect your presence and the help. I’ll see you subsequent spherical. Thanks very a lot.”
Later, at his information convention, Djokovic started with a press release, telling reporters why he didn’t do the interview and clarifying he was upset by Jones and the broadcaster, not Courier or the followers within the stadium.
He mentioned that he additionally spoke to Craig Tiley, the CEO of Tennis Australia, concerning the problem.
“I simply needed to be sure that he is aware of the place I stand and the explanations behind it,” Djokovic mentioned. “So I advised him: ‘In case you guys need to high quality me for not giving an on-court interview, that’s OK.’ I’ll settle for that ’trigger I really feel like that is one thing that must be achieved. That’s all there may be to it.”
Djokovic later posted a message on X reiterating why he declined to talk. That triggered a reply from billionaire X proprietor Elon Musk, who mentioned “It’s approach higher simply to speak to the general public straight than undergo the negativity filter of legacy media.”
Djokovic replied to Musk’s tweet with “Certainly” adopted by a raised arms emoji.
Djokovic is scheduled to play No. 3-seeded Carlos Alcaraz within the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
