A Channel 9 journalist has apologized for 'any disrespect' they caused after making several comments about Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
During a live broadcast on Friday (January 17), Channel Nine's Tony Jones reported on Novak Djokovic's fans chanting behind him. However, his comments led to backlash from the professional tennis player himslef, as well as social media users.
What comments did Tony Jones make about Novak Djokovic?
Reflecting on the chanting as 'extraordinary,' the reporter then chanted himself: "Novak, he's overrated, Novak's a has-been, Novak kick him out. Boy I'm glad they can't hear me."
BBC reports Djokovic didn't return to do an on-court interview on Sunday as a result of his comments. The 24-time Grand Slam champion then stated in a news conference that Jones had created a 'very awkward situation'.
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When asked why he didn't do a post-match interview, Djokovic reportedly said: "A journalist who works for Channel 9 in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans & made insulting & offensive comments towards me. Neither him or Channel 9 issued an apology."
Former world number one tennis player Boris Becker tweeted: "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?"
Although, another Twitter user argued: "I’m no Tony Jones supporter but that’s just Australian humour Boom Boom, he is chanting the opposite of the Djokovic supporters and then turns back and says 'glad they can’t hear me'. Just trying to be funny … granted, it’s not very funny."
And the journalist has since responded.
Channel 9's Tony Jones response
Jones said on Channel Nine earlier today (January 20): "I'm disappointed it come to this because the comments were made on the news on the Friday night which I considered to be banter and humour - which is consistent with what I do.
"However, I was made aware on the Saturday morning from Tennis Australia, via the Djokovic camp, that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments.
"I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them – 48 hours ago – for any disrespect which Novak felt I had caused.
"As I stand here now I stand by that apology to Novak if he feels any disrespect, which he clearly does.
"The disrespect extends to the Serbian fans – over the years here there has been colour with them and passion and banter, and I thought that was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that hasn't been interpreted that way.
"I do feel I've let down the Serbian fans. I'm not just saying that to wriggle out of trouble. I genuinely feel for those fans."
Topics: Australia, Social Media, Sport, Twitter, News
Poppy Bilderbeck