Darren Cahill, Jannik Sinner’s coach, voiced his agreement with Novak Djokovic over the controversial comments made by journalist Tony Jones. The 24-time Grand Slam champion chose to skip an Australian Open interview after finding remarks from the Australian journalist offensive toward both Djokovic and Serbian fans.
Djokovic, the most successful player in Australian Open history with 10 titles, opted out of his on-court interview following a dominant fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka (6-3, 6-4, 7-6). Instead, he delivered a brief message to the crowd and later explained his decision during a press conference.
“As I mentioned, a couple of days ago, a famous sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster Channel 9 here in Australia mocked Serbian fans and made insulting comments about me,” Djokovic said. “Since then, neither he nor Channel 9 has issued a public apology. As they are the official broadcaster, I chose not to give interviews for Channel 9.”
The incident stemmed from comments made two days earlier when Djokovic defeated Czech player Tomas Machac in the third round. During a live broadcast with Serbian fans cheering in the background, the journalist jokingly remarked, “Novak’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out... Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me.” The clip quickly went viral on social media and caught Djokovic’s attention.
In recent ESPN broadcasts, Darren Cahill, who is also a commentator for the network, discussed the controversy surrounding his fellow Australian journalist. “Tony Jones works for 9 News here in Melbourne,” Cahill began. “He also hosts a football show, which is a lighthearted breakdown of Australian rules football, a popular sport here. He’s been in the industry for years and years.”
“I’m sure Tony was trying to be funny, but it was inappropriate, and I don’t blame Novak for taking offense,” Cahill added. “Especially considering what Novak endured during the Covid year here—how badly he was treated by the Australian government and then sent home without being able to play.”
“I think Novak was well within his rights to ask for an apology, and his actions on the court make perfect sense now,” the Aussie coach concluded.
Darren Cahill on Tony Jones comments "It was inappropriate. I don't blame Novak for taking offence" pic.twitter.com/K0lYTTXPHH
— asud (@asud683385) January 19, 2025
I’m sure TJ would never ever have said this about Fed or Nadal.
— Valerie💐 (@AussieVal10) January 17, 2025
Very ugly hey @DjokerNole
Unprofessional @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/1rDob11pvX
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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