Australian Channel 9 sports broadcaster Tony Jones issued an apology to Novak Djokovic. This news comes after Djokovic declined an on court post match interview with Channel 9 (and Jim Courier who was representing the network) because of the comments made by Jones. Later, Djokovic doubled down by saying that he would not give a Channel 9 interview until Jones apologized.
Those comments were derogatory remarks Tony Jones said about Djokovic to a crowd of Serbian fans at the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic says he will no longer do court interviews at the Australian Open until Channel Nine apologise for this video.pic.twitter.com/tZimXQKRiJ
— Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) January 19, 2025
Tony Jones Apologizes
Jones said he was made aware on Saturday morning (Australian time) that Djokovic was not happy with those comments made on Friday night. Upon hearing this, he immediately reached out to the Djokovic camp to personally apologize.
The on-air apology that followed received mixed reviews from fans.
Fans do not believe that Tony Jones is offering a heartfelt apology. Many believe he was still trying to justify the comments as banter.
One fan with a X/Twitter handle of “The Eagle” believes Channel 9 should be more accountable for the treatment of the 10-time Australian Open champion. The Eagle’s post said: “The channel itself should take more responsibility as the official broadcaster of the event. I have never seen anything like this in any other sport, let alone being done to a 10-time champion at your event, Djokovic or not. Mind blowing.”
X/Twitter user Harry Jones calls it “the worst apology in tennis history.”
Kelly H Russo wrote: “It’s not very genuine and there are too many excuses.”
Jaip believes: “He should be fired.”
Channel 9 has not issued any comment.
These types of issues are not isolated to Australia. The Tennis Channel suspended Jon Wertheim in November for derogatory on-air comments he made about Barbora Krejcikova‘s appearance on a hot-mic. Wertheim apologized publicly and privately. He recently returned to the Tennis Channel for its Australian Open coverage. Krecjikova is injured and unable to play in this year’s Australian Open.
Sports media professionals have a responsibility to be professional. That is a blurry line in this era of making outlandish comments to get social media sound bytes, hits, and extra attention.
