An Australian broadcaster has apologised to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis fans after calling the 24-time Grand Slam champion “overrated” and a “has-been”.
Djokovic, 37, refused to give a customary post-match interview to Channel Nine anchor Jim Courier after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open on Sunday.
He said in a press conference his annoyance was not directed at the crowd but another Channel Nine presenter, Tony Jones, who allegedly mocked a group of chanting fans on Friday by singing: “Novak is overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out.”
The tennis star said that he also spoke to Craig Tiley, the head of Tennis Australia, telling him he would accept a fine for him not giving the interview, if the body decided to issue one.
Not referring to Mr Jones by name, Djokovic later posted on X on Sunday to say the comments “made a mockery of Serbian fans” and were “insulting and offensive” towards him.
He said he hoped for a public apology and that he would continue to avoid speaking to Mr Jones and the Nine Network until “something is done”.
Appearing on the Today programme on Monday, Mr Jones offered that apology, saying he meant the comments as “banter”.
Channel Nine presenter Tony Jones said his comments were ‘banter’. Pic: AP/Mark Baker
“I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do,” he said. “Having said that, I was made aware … that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments.
“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.”
He also said he felt he had “let down the Serbian fans”.
Djokovic and Jiri Lehecka shake hands after Sunday’s match. Pic: Reuters/Edgar Su
He said the one comment he particularly regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted could only be construed as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in a row over his Covid vaccination status in early 2022, Sky Sports News reported.
Australia’s Nine Network also issued a statement Monday and apologised to Djokovic “for any offence caused from comments made during a recent live cross”.
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It said: “No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans. We look forward to further showcasing his Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.”
Djokovic is scheduled to play no 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.