Djokovic skips post-match interview over complaint about Nine and Tony Jones

A fuming Novak Djokovic says he will refuse any interviews with Australian Open host broadcaster Channel Nine until he receives an apology over comments made by the network’s sports anchor Tony Jones he deemed to be “insulting and offensive”.

The 10-times Australian Open champion chose not to speak on court to Jim Courier after booking his spot in the quarter-finals for the 15th time in Melbourne. Later, in his media conference, he told reporters he would continue his boycott of the local broadcaster until he gets an apology.

Tony Jones and Novak Djokovic.Credit:

Djokovic said he believed comments made by Jones on Channel Nine last week “made a mockery of Serbian fans”.

His pledge to maintain a boycott of the network was repeated in a video posted on one of his social media accounts late on Sunday night.

“I have to stand by my decision and hold this stance until something is done,” Djokovic said in his video.

“That thing is done, so I leave it to Channel Nine and, hopefully, that situation will change for the next match.”

Djokovic’s next booking in Melbourne is an enthralling quarter-final against top Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, 37, is chasing a record-extending 11th Australian Open and 25th grand slam title this fortnight in Australia.

If he is victorious, Djokovic will become the oldest men’s major winner in history, surpassing Ken Rosewall. Djokovic will also match the number of major titles won by legendary Australian women’s player Margaret Court.

Djokovic was aggrieved by comments made by Jones, an experienced Melbourne sports reporter and presenter, during a cross he did with flag-waving supporters in the background.

“A couple of days ago a famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel Nine here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans, and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” Djokovic said.

“Since then he chose not to issue an official public apology. Neither did Channel Nine.”

His action stemmed from footage of presenter Jones doing the cross from Melbourne Park that has been circulating widely on social media.

In it, Jones references the Serbians fans, but also makes several references about Djokovic, including “Novak, kick him out” – in reference to the former world No.1’s infamous deportation from Australia three years ago.

“The Novak Djokovic fans there in full voice,” Jones says in the video.

“The chants are quite extraordinary.”

He then chants the following: “Novak, he’s overrated.

“Novak’s a has-been ... Novak, kick him out.

“Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me.”

Jones declined to comment further when contacted by this masthead on Sunday night after Djokovic’s media conference. Earlier in the day he defended his comments as banter with tennis fans.

“We’ve been doing it all tournament and it’s all in good fun,” Jones said before Djokovic’s fourth-round match on Sunday.

“This is the happy slam.”

Australian star Nick Kyrgios also came to Djokovic’s defence on Sunday and laid into the Nine presenter.

“Coming from this clown – couldn’t run around a park this bloke,” Kyrgios said.

Djokovic insisted that his complaint was only about the behaviour of Jones.

“I have nothing against Jim Courier, neither the Australian public. And it was a very awkward situation for me to face the court today,” he said.

Tennis players on the WTA and ATP are subject to rules about media obligations when they participate in tournaments across the world. Grand slam events also have rules about media commitments for tennis professionals.

Djokovic declines the on-court interview request from Jim Courier.Credit: Getty Images

World No.5 Daniil Medvedev skipped his compulsory media conference after his second round exit in match that finished at 3am on Friday. The Russian received a combined fine of $123,000 for two other separate offences, including smashing a net camera and breaking his racquet. But he was not fined for not fulfilling his media obligations.

Nine is the owner of this masthead and has been contacted for comment.

Tennis Australia was contacted for comment.

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