Novak Djokovic has received the apology he demanded from Tony Jones, a presenter on Channel Nine in Australia.
The 24-time grand slam winner felt Jones had “made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” leading him to boycott the traditional on-court interview after his fourth-round win over Jiri Lehecka at the Australian Open yesterday.
A few words about what happened on court. pic.twitter.com/jRof2npiwH
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 19, 2025
Standing in front of Serbian fans Jones, in a broadcast aired on Friday, said: “Welcome back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans, they’re in full voice. The chants are quite extraordinary.”
Jones then turned to the fans and pretended to chant back at them, singing: “Novak, he’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out.”
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Jones says sorry
Jones issued an initial apology on Balkan TV channel and website SportKlub but has followed that up with another on Channel Nine.
He said: “I’m disappointed it has come to this because the comments were made on the news on the Friday night which I considered to be banter and humour – which is consistent with what I do.
“However, 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.
“I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them – 48 hours ago – for any disrespect which Novak felt I had caused.
“As I stand here now I stand by that apology to Novak if he feels any disrespect, which he clearly does.
“The disrespect extends to the Serbian fans – over the years here there has been colour with them and passion and banter, and I thought that 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. I’m not just saying that to wriggle out of trouble. I genuinely feel for those fans.”
Jones drags up deportation drama
Jones admitted his “kick him out” remark was unnecessary given Djokovic, a 10-time winner at Melbourne Park, was deported from Australia in 2022 after not conforming with the country’s Covid regulations at the time.
“That has angered Novak – I completely understand that,” added Jones.
“It has been an unfortunate situation and one of personal angst for Novak and personal angst for me as well. The priority now is to focus on the tennis. He has an amazing match and I hope he can focus on that.
“I can only again tell Novak what I told him 48 hours ago which is I do apologise if he feels I disrespected him.
“I agreed to meet him in person, they came back and yes, that hasn’t transpired yet but I hope it will happen in the next 24 hours.”
Djokovic takes on Carlos Alcaraz in a mouthwatering quarter-final tomorrow with the matter now hopefully resolved.
Tennis Australia, speaking on behalf of the seventh seed, said: “Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.”
