- Djokovic was not happy with his comments
- Boycotted Channel Nine media commitments
- Veteran sport anchor has issued an apology
Veteran Channel Nine sports anchor Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic after the Serbian tennis star took offence to comments made to his fans at the Australian Open.
Djokovic had vowed to boycott Channel Nine interviews at the Australian Open until he received an apology for comments made by sports anchor Tony Jones, which he found offensive.
During a broadcast, Jones made remarks about Djokovic and his Serbian fans, including the phrase “kick him out,” which many interpreted as referencing Djokovic’s 2021 deportation from Australia.
‘Novak’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out…Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me,’ he said.
Djokovic called the comments disrespectful and reiterated his stance in a press conference after advancing to the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Jones has issued an apology on Channel Nine on Monday, and said he had already said sorry to Djokovic and his supporters two days earlier.
Veteran Channel Nine sports anchor angered tennis champion Novak Djokovic with comments he made to his supporters at the Australian Open
Djokovic launched a boycott of Channel Nine media commitments and demanded a public apology from Jones
‘I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do. You know, whether it be the Sunday Footy Show, whether it be the Morning Show here,’ he said.
‘Having said that, 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.
‘Now. As such, I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. So this is 48 hours ago for any disrespect that Novak felt that I’d caused.
‘And as I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak. If he felt any disrespect, which quite clearly he does now, I should also say the disrespect was extended, I guess in many ways to the Serbian fans.
‘Now, as you know, being here over the seven years, 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, 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.
‘Now, I’m not just saying this to try and wriggle out of trouble or anything. I genuinely feel for those fans. If I could turn back time right?’
Today Show host Karl Stefanovic said that Djokovic had every right to ask for an apology and added that he hoped all parties could move on and focus on the tennis.
Jones has apologised on air for his comments and said he also apologised two days earlier
‘Novak Djokovic is a legend of the sport. He’s very patriotic. He does take things personally, which is which is his right to. Yeah. And TJ’s apology is heartfelt,’ he said.
‘I think Novak’s a really good guy. I’ve met him a couple of times now, interviewed him a few times, and I’m sure in the fullness of the hours that are ahead and the matches that are ahead, he will he’ll be okay.
‘But, you know, hopefully that that is, you know, the chance for us to focus on the tennis.’
