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Novak Djokovic: Australian broadcaster Tony Jones apologises to 24-time Grand Slam champion and Serbian followers | Tennis Information

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Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis followers for feedback he made on TV on Friday evening that the 37-year-old thought of “insulting and offensive”.

Djokovic declined to do the customary on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday pending a public apology from Jones and Australian broadcast rights holders Channel 9.

The ten-time Australian Open champion revealed in his post-match press convention that his ire was not directed on the crowd however on the broadcaster following an incident forward of his third-round match when presenter Jones mocked a gaggle of chanting Djokovic followers behind him that had gathered exterior the published sales space at Melbourne Park on Friday, by singing, “Novak is overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out”.

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Novak Djokovic defined he’ll boycott on-court interviews on the Australian Open till he receives an apology from the Australian TV broadcaster Channel 9

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In an interview on the channel on Monday, Jones stated he thought the feedback had been “banter” and he had instantly made a non-public apology to the “Djokovic camp” as soon as he realised they’d not been taken in humour.

“I can stand by that apology to Novak,” he stated. “I also needs to say the disrespect was prolonged, in some ways, to the Serbian followers.

“We’ve constructed up a pleasant rapport with the Serbian followers, and there was banter, and I believed what I used to be doing was an extension of that banter. Fairly clearly that has not been interpreted that manner.

“I really feel as if I’ve let down the Serbian followers.” Jones stated the one remark he significantly regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted might solely be construed as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in a row over his Covid vaccination standing in early 2022.

“That has angered Novak which I fully perceive now,” Jones stated.

“It has been an unlucky scenario, it has been one in every of private angst for Novak, it is fairly clearly private angst for me as effectively.”

There was no instant response to a request for remark from seventh seed Djokovic, who performs Carlos Alcaraz within the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Djokovic stated he had not obtained a public apology from the broadcaster and would proceed boycotting them till he does.

Djokovic later posted a message on social media reiterating why he declined to talk.

“A few days in the past the well-known sports activities journalist who works for the official broadcaster, Channel 9 right here in Australia, made a mockery of Serbian followers and in addition made insulting and offensive feedback in the direction of me,” stated Djokovic.

“And, since then, he selected to not subject any public apology. Neither did Channel 9. So, since they’re official broadcasters, I selected to not give interviews for Channel 9.

“I’ve nothing towards Jim Courier or neither the Australian public. It was a really awkward scenario for me to face on the courtroom at this time. It is unlucky. I selected to say one thing to the group, however clearly wasn’t the time and house or scenario for me to elucidate what I am doing proper now.

“I depart it to Channel 9 to deal with this the way in which they suppose they see match.”

Former Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter believes the row might play within the Serbian’s favour, saying: “I feel Novak’s in a reasonably good head house, he is good and indignant. He performs his finest tennis when he is indignant.”

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