Novak Djokovic yet again made the headlines at Melbourne Park, but this time for a controversial stance after he boycotted the on-court interview. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
♏The 24-time Grand Slam winner wanted an apology from Australia’s Channel 9, the host broadcaster for the calendar’s first Grand Slam event, over a segment where a sports journalist called him “overrated” and also insulted his supporters.
Some of the biggest names in tennis ♏and the media have been weighing in since Djokovic’s decision to boycott.
🐭Elon Musk, a billionaire and the one who owns X, formerly known as Twitter showcased support to Djokovic, who walked off Rod Laver Arena after skipping his interview with Jim Courier after his fourth round win against Jiri Lehecka.
English journalist Piers Morgan also took to social media to support the ten-time Australian Open champion, who added, “Djokovic is right. That Channel 9 guy was an absolute tool”— a sentiment that was shared by players and fans online.
🗹“That’s actually very disturbing behaviour from a TV broadcaster who works for Channel 9… Does he still have a job for the rest of the tournament?” questioned six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker.
🐻Kevin Pietersen seemed happy about Djokovic’s decision to stand up for himself and his fans as he approved the move by taking to his X.
🌠Speaking in Nine’s Today show, Tony Jones issued an apology and shared light on the matter.
ﷺ“The comments were made on the news on Friday night, which I considered to be banter, I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do,” Jones said.
𒉰“I was made aware on Saturday morning from Tennis Australia, via the Djokovic camp, that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments. As such, I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them for any disrespect that Novak felt that I’d caused.
๊“As I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak if he felt any disrespect, which quite clearly he does.
♓“If I could turn back time… I think the one thing where I overstepped the mark… is that last comment I made in that back and forth with the crowd: Kick him out."
🌳However, the Serbian superstar is yet to respond to Jones’ apology.
