Serbian captain wants Tony Jones ‘banned for life’ over Novak Djokovic treatment

The fallout from Novak Djokovic’s tumultuous Australian Open campaign has continued with his Davis Cup captain demanding action.

Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki declared veteran news presenter Tony Jones should be “banned for life” from covering tennis and labelled the treatment of 10-time Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic “disrespectful and disappointing” in the wake of his injury-forced retirement.

Djokovic was forced to withdraw from Serbia’s tie against Denmark this weekend due to the injury he suffered in Melbourne, ending his campaign for an 11th title in the semi-final.

UFC 312: Du Plessis v Strickland 2 | SUN 9 FEB | Dricus du Plessis isback Down Under for another title defencein a blockbuster UFC 312 headliner in Sydney. Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

The former world No.1 was also booed by sections of the crowd when he ended his semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev after an 84 minute opening set.

It ended a tumultuous tournament for Djokovic, who refused to do a post-match interview with host broadcaster Channel 9 after Jones mocked him while engaging with Serbian fans.

Troicki said Australia was treating Djokovic “worse and worse” after he was also deported before the 2022 Open when his visa was cancelled on “health and safety” grounds.

“There was the situation around Channel 9, which I noticed as well. If I had hired that journalist (Tony Jones), I would have fired him straight away. He would never work in sports again,” Troicki said ahead of the tie.

Tony Jones’ treatment of Novak Djokovic has been slammed.

“I think they are treating Novak worse and worse. It is surprising and disappointing to see the greatest player of all time experiencing so many bad things happening in Australia again.

“After Covid and what they did to him a few years ago, it has never been the same.

“To mock an athlete during the tournament is unacceptable. I don’t think an apology is enough. I think he should be banned for life from covering tennis.”

Speaking to BolaVip in Copenhagen, Troicki slammed the overall treatment of the 37-year-old champion.

Novak Djokovic had a seriously tumultuous Australian Open campaign. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“They were booing him after the injury, which I don’t think happens in any sport. Not even in football, where the crowd is normally more wild. When someone gets injured in football, even an opponent, they will applaud you and wish you to get better,” he said.

“That’s why it was surprising to see, especially in a place where he has played his best tennis and has won 10 titles, that he got booed after the injury. It was really disrespectful and disappointing.”

“They are booing him in the crowd, which was not happening before in Australia. I think they were admiring his results more and greeting the champion with more respect in the past.”

Serbia’s ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, also expressed his “profound concern” to Nine.

In a statement the ambassador said: “The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia considers that Mr Jones’ comments are totally inappropriate and disrespectful”.

He went on to say: “There has never been in the history [sic] the case that [an] Australian athlete has been insulted and disrespected in such a way by the media or any public official in Serbia.”

The Serbian Council of Australia has also lodged an official complaint with the Human Rights Commission.

The Council has demanded Jones be stood down from all sports broadcasting duties at Channel Nine.

Will we see Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open again? (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Djokovic has posted a scan of his hamstring injury in a fiery response to “medical experts” amid suspicions around his withdrawal from the Australian Open semi-final.

Toni Nadal, who coached Rafael Nadal for 20 years, has written an explosive column where he has added credence to the view Djokovic had exaggerated the extent of his injuries at Melbourne Park.

The Spanish coach said the jeering Djokovic received in Melbourne was out of line, but also said he understood why spectators were angry.

“Another question is why there was such a protest in the stands,” Nadal wrote in Spanish for El Pais.

“Firstly, I understand that the public showed their disappointment and anger at being deprived of the spectacle they had been expecting after having paid for it.

“The second and perhaps most significant reason is that over the years, there has been a growing suspicion around Novak, due to his expressions or histrionics, casting doubt on the authenticity of his injuries.”

He went on to write: “When a player faces physical problems in such a match, they typically delay the decision to withdraw until the last moment.

“They call the physio, struggle through a few games with limitations and only when realising the inevitable, do they opt for retirement.

“On several occasions, we have seen Novak with similar performances, using facial expressions and body language that contradict what we see on the court, raising doubts about the authenticity of his issues.”

Originally published as Serbian captain wants Tony Jones ‘banned for life’ over Novak Djokovic treatment