Featured Image Credit: Channel Nine/Novak Djokovic
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Australian Open
Marcus Chan
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Australian Open
Novak Djokovic has reportedly responded after receiving an apology from both Channel Nine and reporter Tony Jones.
On Sunday, after his straight-sets victory over Jiri Lehecka at the Australian Open, Djokovic was booed off by the Rod Laver Arena crowd as he refused to do an on-court interview with former player Jim Courier.
The Serbian later revealed that the boycott came after comments made about him by Channel Nine reporter Jones.
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During a live segment on the channel, Jones was heard saying: "Novak, he's overrated, Novak's a has-been, Novak kick him out," to fans chanting Djokovic's name.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion labelled the comments as 'insulting and offensive' while he also expressed his disappointment at the lack of apology.
On Monday morning, Jones issued an apology to Djokovic.
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As reported by The Guardian, Jones said: "I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do. Having said that, I was made aware on Saturday morning from Tennis Australia via the Djokovic camp that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments.
"As such, I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak … I do apologise if he felt that I disrespected him.
"They [the Serbian fans] come here with the flags and they provide so much colour and so much passion and there was banter, so I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that hasn’t been interpreted that way. So I do feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans." Channel Nine also offered an apology.
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Legend Boris Becker branded Jones' behaviour as 'very disturbing' and other former tennis stars also criticised the reporter's comments.
It has also been claimed that Djokovic 'acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested, and is now moving on'.
Meanwhile, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios took to social media to mock Jones by posting a parody video of the incident.
Kyrigos was heard saying: "That’s what’s making headlines around the globe. Nick Kyrgios, live news."
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The camera then panned to impersonator Elliot Loney, seemingly trying to dress as Djokovic while doing an impression of him.
“Kyrgios, he’s a has-been! Kyrgios, he’s overrated! Kyrgios, kick him out! Ha ha ha!” ‘Djokovic’ says.
“Boy I’m glad he can not hear me, you know, because that would be...”
Kyrgios then responds: “Novak, we’re on live television mate!”
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‘Djokovic’ says: “Aww, yeah yeah, of course. Who would be stupid enough to say that on live television?”
Kyrgios finishes: “Yeah. No one.”
Djokovic will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final of the Australian Open on Tuesday.