MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The host broadcaster has apologized after Novak Djokovic declined to do a standard post-match on courtroom interview on the Australian Open Sunday to protest feedback made on air via any individual who works for the TV community. Djokovic stated he sought after an apology from Channel 9 and Tony Jones, who known as the 24-time Grand Slam champion overestimated and a has-been, in addition to an obvious connection with his deportation from Australia in 2022 for being unvaccinated for COVID-19, all the way through an on-air look at Melbourne Park the place a crowd of the participant’s supporters have been chanting. Djokovic, a 37-year-old from Serbia, didn’t identify Jones, however stated a “well-known sports activities journalist who works for reliable broadcaster, Channel 9 … made a mockery of Serbian lovers and in addition made insulting and offensive feedback towards me.”Djokovic stated he would proceed to steer clear of talking to the community.
“I depart it to Channel 9 to care for this the way in which they suspect they see are compatible. That’s all,” Djokovic stated.Australia’s 9 Community issued a commentary Monday and apologized to Djokovic “for any offense led to from feedback made all the way through a up to date reside move.”
“No hurt used to be supposed against Novak or his lovers,” the commentary stated. “We stay up for additional showcasing his Australian Open marketing campaign at Melbourne Park.”Jones gave the impression at the Lately program Monday to make an apology, and stated he intended the feedback as “banter.”
“I regarded as it to be humor, which is in keeping with maximum issues I do,” he stated. “Having stated that, I used to be made conscious … that the Djokovic camp used to be now not glad in any respect with the ones feedback.“I instantly contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand right here now, I stand via that apology to Novak.”Jones additionally apologized to any Serbian lovers who didn’t interpret his feedback as funny.“I do really feel as despite the fact that I’ve let down the Serbian lovers,” he stated. “I’m now not simply pronouncing this to take a look at and wriggle out of bother or anything else. I in actuality really feel for the ones lovers.”
“So, I will simplest once more inform Novak what I informed him 48 hours in the past. And that’s I do make an apology if he felt that I disrespected him.”Serbia’s Ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic on Monday stated Jones’ feedback have been “obviously unprofessional” and may now not be regarded as in just right humor, in particular the “maximum regarding” inference referring to Djokovic’s deportation at the eve of the match 3 years in the past.“That match remains to be very a lot provide within the minds of the Serbian folks international, together with Australians of Serbian starting place, who have been additionally jointly victimized on the time,” the Sydney Morning Bring in — which may be owned via the similar mum or dad corporate as Channel 9 — quoted Stefanovic as pronouncing on Monday.After beating Jiri Lehecka in 3 units at Rod Laver Area on Sunday to succeed in the quarterfinals, Djokovic used to be anticipated to talk to former participant Jim Courier on tv. As a substitute, Djokovic held the microphone and informed the group: “Thanks very a lot for being right here this night. I admire your presence and the improve. I’ll see you subsequent spherical. Thanks very a lot.”
Later, at his information convention, Djokovic started with a commentary, telling newshounds why he didn’t do the interview and clarifying he used to be disenchanted via Jones and the broadcaster, now not Courier or the lovers within the stadium.He stated that he additionally spoke to Craig Tiley, the CEO of Tennis Australia, about the problem.“I simply sought after to ensure that he is aware of the place I stand and the explanations at the back of it,” Djokovic stated. “So I informed him: ‘When you guys wish to effective me for now not giving an on-court interview, that’s OK.’ I’ll settle for that ’reason I think like that is one thing that must be completed. That’s all there may be to it.”Djokovic later posted a message on X reiterating why he declined to talk. That induced a answer from billionaire X proprietor Elon Musk, who stated “It’s manner higher simply to speak to the general public at once than move in the course of the negativity filter out of legacy media.” Djokovic responded to Musk’s tweet with “Certainly” adopted via a raised fingers emoji.Djokovic is scheduled to play No. 3-seeded Carlos Alcaraz within the quarterfinals on Tuesday.___AP Sports activities Creator John Pye contributed from Brisbane, Australia.___AP tennis:
