An Australian broadcaster has apologized to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis fans after calling the 24-time Grand Slam champion “overrated” and “overrated.”
Djokovic37-year-old, refused to give the usual post-match interview to Channel 9 host Jim Courier after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the Australian Open on Sunday.
He said at a news conference that his annoyance was not directed at the crowd but at another Channel 9 presenter, Tony Jones, who allegedly taunted a group of fans on Friday by singing: “Novak is overrated, Novak already been, Novak kicks him.” outside.”
The tennis star said he also spoke to Craig Tiley, director of Tennis Australia, and told him he would accept a fine for not granting the interview, if the body decided to grant one.
Without referring to Jones by name, Djokovic later posted on X on Sunday to say the comments “mocked Serbian fans” and were “insulting and offensive” towards him.
He said he expected a public apology and would continue to avoid speaking with Jones and 9 Community until “something is done.”
Appearing on At Present on Monday, Jones offered that apology, saying he referred to the comments as “jokes.”
“I thought of it as humor, which is consistent with most of the things I do,” he said. “That said, I was informed… that Djokovic’s team was not at all happy with those comments.
“I immediately contacted Djokovic’s camp and apologized to them. And as I am here now, I stand by that apology to Novak.”
He also said he felt he had “let down the Serbian fans.”
He said the only comment he particularly regretted was “throwing him out”, which he accepted could only be interpreted as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in a dispute over his Covid vaccination status in early 2022reported Sky Sports Information.
Australia’s 9 Community also issued a statement on Monday and apologized to Djokovic “for any offense caused by comments made during a recent live match.”
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It said: “No harm was intended to Novak or his fans. We hope to continue showing his campaign at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.”
Djokovic is scheduled to face third-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
