Under-fire Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones makes apology to Novak Djokovic after disparaging comments turn into boycott
ATP
Novak Djokovic did not take part in any post match interviews on court yesterday and only spoke to certain broadcasters. It was later confirmed that the reasoning behind this was comments made by Tony Jones, a presenter for Channel 9. He has now made an apology wanted by Djokovic.
Standing in front of Serbian fans, Jones called Djokovic 'overrated' and a 'has-been' and said they should kick him out. This did not go down very well with Djokovic who also later remarked that he had spoken disparagingly not only about him but Serbian fans.
The fact the interview would be shown on Channel 9 meant that Djokovic despite having no issue with Jim Courier hastily left the court. He later spoke in the press conference and on social media that Jones was the reason demanding an apology. He has got one now but will it be accepted?
“I was made aware on the Saturday morning from Tennis Australia via the Djokovic camp that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments,” said Jones.
“As such, I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them for any disrespect that Novak felt that I’d caused. I stand by that apology to Novak.
“I should also say the disrespect was extended, I guess, to the Serbian fans. We’ve built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans, they come here with the flags and they provide so much colour and so much passion and there was banter.
“I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that hasn’t been interpreted that way. I do feel I’ve let down the Serbian fans.
“It has been an unfortunate situation, it’s been one of personal angst for Novak, it’s quite clearly personal angst for me as well, but I just think the priority here now is to focus on the tennis again.
“He’s got an amazing match tomorrow night against Carlos Alcaraz and I hope his focus can now be on that.”
9News Reporter Tony Jones issued an on-air apology to Novak Djokovic, expressing regret "for any disrespect that Novak felt," and says that he reached out to Djokovic immediately after the incident became an issue. pic.twitter.com/6OsCoid6KN
— Australians vs. The Agenda (@ausvstheagenda) January 20, 2025
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