MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian broadcaster Tony Jones apologized to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis followers after he admittedly crossed the road in heckling followers throughout a information phase Friday.
The apology got here after Djokovic skipped the customary on-court interview Sunday night time after his fourth-round win on the Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam winner stated it was a protest of Jones and Australian host broadcaster Channel 9.
In his information phase Friday, Jones heckled Serbian followers by saying Djokovic was “overrated,” a “has-been” and to “kick him out.”
On Monday morning, Jones appeared on Channel 9’s “At this time” morning present to problem an apology to Djokovic and the Serbian tennis followers after Djokovic stated he would not be partaking with the native broadcaster till a public apology was issued.
Jones stated he thought he was partaking in “banter” with the followers, however admitted he crossed the road.
“The feedback had been made on the information on Friday night time, which I thought-about to be banter,” Jones stated. “I thought-about it to be humor, which is in line with most issues I do.
“Having stated that, I used to be made conscious on Saturday morning, from Tennis Australia by way of the Djokovic camp, that the Djokovic camp was not blissful in any respect with these feedback. As such, I instantly contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them — this was 48 hours in the past — for any disrespect that Novak felt, that I had brought about. And as I stand right here now, I can solely stand by that apology to Novak if he felt any disrespect, which fairly clearly he does.”
Jones stated he felt he “overstepped the mark” with the “kick him out” remark, which “can solely be interpreted as a throwback to the COVID years.”
Djokovic wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title in 2022 as a result of he refused to be vaccinated towards COVID-19, and he stated earlier this month that he nonetheless experiences trauma at any time when he visits Melbourne due to it.
“It has been an unlucky scenario — considered one of private angst for Novak and private angst for me as effectively,” Jones stated. “The precedence now’s to deal with the tennis once more. I can solely once more inform Novak what I advised him 48 hours in the past, and that’s I do apologize if he felt I disrespected him.”
As for the Serbian followers, Jones stated he apologized to those that carry “a lot shade and fervour” to the event.
“We have constructed up a pleasant rapport with the Serbian followers,” Jones stated. “They convey flags, and a lot shade and fervour. There may be banter, and I believed what I used to be doing was an extension of that banter. Fairly clearly that has not been interpreted that method. I really feel as if I’ve let down the Serbian followers.”
Djokovic clarified Sunday night time why he skipped the on-court interview in a video posted to social media platform X after the match, and he additionally issued a press release throughout his postmatch information convention earlier than taking any questions.
Djokovic will not be the primary participant to name out Jones’ conduct through the event. American Danielle Collins, ranked No. 11 on the earth, talked about Jones after her third-round loss to compatriot Madison Keys.
Collins stated Jones labeled her a “brat” in a radio phase in response to her taunting the Australian crowd earlier within the event.
“I like this outdated man. Tony? Tony Jones?” Collins stated. “… I simply beloved how he known as me a brat. And, like, it is simply so, like, Gen Z and Millennial proper now. It is [singer] Charli XCX, and I actually need him to do the dance that she does. He has to do it. He has to.”
Djokovic will subsequent face No. 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz within the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Tuesday.