An Australian broadcaster has apologised to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis followers after calling the 24-time Grand Slam champion “overrated” and a “has-been”.
Djokovic, 37, refused to present a customary post-match interview to Channel 9 anchor Jim Courier after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on the Australian Open on Sunday.
He mentioned in a press convention his annoyance was not directed on the crowd however one other Channel 9 presenter, Tony Jones, who allegedly mocked a gaggle of chanting followers on Friday by singing: “Novak is overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out.”
The tennis star mentioned that he additionally spoke to Craig Tiley, the top of Tennis Australia, telling him he would settle for a advantageous for him not giving the interview, if the physique determined to situation one.
Not referring to Mr Jones by identify, Djokovic later posted on X on Sunday to say the feedback “made a mockery of Serbian followers” and have been “insulting and offensive” in direction of him.
He mentioned he hoped for a public apology and that he would proceed to keep away from talking to Mr Jones and the 9 Community till “one thing is finished”.
Showing on the Right this moment programme on Monday, Mr Jones supplied that apology, saying he meant the feedback as “banter”.
“I thought-about it to be humour, which is in line with most issues I do,” he mentioned. “Having mentioned that, I used to be made conscious … that the Djokovic camp was not blissful in any respect with these feedback.
“I instantly contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand right here now, I stand by that apology to Novak.”
He additionally mentioned he felt he had “let down the Serbian followers”.
Djokovic and Jiri Lehecka shake palms after Sunday’s match. Pic: Reuters/Edgar Su
He mentioned the one remark he notably regretted was “kick him out”, which he accepted may solely be construed as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in a row over his Covid vaccination status in early 2022, Sky Sports activities Information reported.
Australia’s 9 Community additionally issued a press release Monday and apologised to Djokovic “for any offence induced from feedback made throughout a current stay cross”.
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It mentioned: “No hurt was meant in direction of Novak or his followers. We stay up for additional showcasing his Australian Open marketing campaign at Melbourne Park.”
Djokovic is scheduled to play no 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz within the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
