Following an incident involving Australian broadcaster Channel 9 and its employee, Novak Djokovic has received the public apologies he sought, allowing him to refocus on his upcoming quarterfinal match at the Australian Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion expressed his dissatisfaction with comments made by a sports journalist on Channel 9, labeling them as insulting and offensive towards him and Serbian fans. The journalist had referred to Djokovic as overrated and made remarks alluding to his deportation from Australia in 2022 due to his unvaccinated status.
In response, Djokovic chose to forego the post-match on-court TV interview after his recent victory, prompting spectators' reactions. He clarified his stance during a subsequent news conference, emphasizing his decision to protest the disparaging remarks made by the broadcaster.
After demanding an apology from Channel 9 and the journalist in question, Djokovic's request was met on Monday. The network issued a statement expressing regret for any offense caused by the comments and extended an olive branch to Djokovic and his supporters.
The journalist involved also offered his apologies, characterizing his remarks as banter and expressing remorse if they were perceived as disrespectful. He acknowledged reaching out to Djokovic's camp promptly to issue a formal apology.
Furthermore, Serbia's ambassador to Australia condemned the journalist's comments as unprofessional and highlighted the concerning nature of the references made to Djokovic's past deportation from the country.
Amidst the controversy, tech mogul Elon Musk weighed in on the situation, advising Djokovic to communicate directly with the public rather than relying on traditional media channels.
With the apologies received, Djokovic can now shift his focus back to his pursuit of an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th major championship victory.
