‘Absolute tool’: World reacts after Novak Djokovic boycotts Channel 9
Novak Djokovic stunned Rod Laver Arena by leaving Jim Courier awkwardly standing by himself on centre court - and the fallout has been dramatic.
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The tennis world is in a frenzy after Novak Djokovic revealed the truth behind why he refused to conduct a post-match interview on Sunday night with Jim Courier.
Djokovic stunned Rod Laver Arena and viewers on Channel 9 when he only offered up a few words to the crowd before walking off after a straight sets victory in the fourth round.
The Serbian superstar then fronted the media and made it clear that “offensive comments” made by Tony Jones days earlier were behind his Channel 9 boycott.
“I’d like to just clarify the reason why it was not conducted on the court,” Djokovic said.
“A couple of days ago the famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me. And since then he chose not to issue any public apology, neither did Nine.
“Since they’re official broadcasters I chose not to give interviews for Channel 9. I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public. It’s unfortunate.
“I chose to say something to the crowd but obviously wasn’t the time and situation to explain what I’m doing right now.
“I leave it to Nine to handle this the way they see fit.”
News.com.au has contacted Channel 9 regarding Djokovic’s boycott.
The “King of Melbourne Park” also released a self-recorded video message to his fans, apologising for not speaking to them on the court.
“That was the only reason I didn’t do the interview,” he said of Jones.
“It was of course not a great feeling for me and it was quite awkward on the court.
“Jim Courier was the one that came out. I have tremendous respect for him and I always love speaking to Jim and I know that a lot of people wanted to hear me speak so I apologise for everyone being in the stadium and not being able to hear me speak. And on the TV as well.”
The 24-time grand slam champ said he will “hold his stance” until something is done.
Courier said on Eurosport after the match that he had not been given warning about Djokovic’s walk-off.
The 37-year-old confirmed he had also spoken with Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley after the match and said he was prepared to be fined by the tournament for refusing to deal with the official broadcast partner.
“I have really nice relationship with Craig, I think he’s a phenomenal guy that always tries to help players and understand the players’ needs or demands, so I just wanted to make sure that he knows where I stand and the reasons behind it,” the 10-time Aussie Open champion said.
“So I told him, you know, If you guys want to fine me for not giving an on-court interview, that’s OK, I’ll accept that because I feel like this is something that needs to be done.
“That’s all there is to it.”
‘Absolute tool’: World reacts to Djokovic boycott
Two-time grand slam winner Victoria Azarenka led the support of Djokovic - and criticism of Jones.
“The audacity to call Novak Djokovic overrated by a reporter is just insane,” she tweeted. “The guy literally completed tennis by winning everything you can in our sport!”
Piers Morgan was also on the Serb’s side. “Djokovic is right. That Channel 9 guy was an absolute tool.”
The world’s richest man Elon Musk even entered the debate when responded to Djokovic’s video post on X.
“It’s way better just to talk to the public directly than go through the negativity filter of legacy media,” Musk replied to the video.
“Indeed,” Djokovic wrote back.
Australian tennis coach Darren Cahill said on ESPN in America Jones was just trying to make a joke that bombed spectacularly.
“Tony Jones. He works for Nine News here in Melbourne,” Cahill explained.
“He hosts the Footy Show, which is quite a funny, laughing breakdown football show for Australian rules football which is very popular.
“He’s been in the industry for years and years and years. I’m sure Tony was trying to be funny, but it was inappropriate and I don’t blame Novak for taking offence to that.”
American tennis great James Blake responded by saying: “I’m glad he opened his press conference with that, to shed light on it.
“It does make sense now. He’s standing on principles and he’s done that very often in his career and it absolutely makes sense for him to do that. We’ve seen the footage and it is absolutely inappropriate. And we’re waiting for an apology. It’s deserved.”
German tennis legend Boris Becker, who previously coached Djokovic, also hit out on X.
“That’s actually very disturbing behaviour from a tv broadcaster who works for Channel 9,” Becker posted.
“Does he still have a job for the rest of the tournament?”
Tennis commentator Bastien Fachan also posted on X: “Good on Djokovic for making a strong statement here.
“What Tony Jones said on air was in appallingly bad taste and purely fueled by hatred - and let’s be real, it should have been a sackable/dismissible offense.
“Nine chose to stand by him, and so they’re reaping what they sowed.”
The Jones comments that upset Djokovic
Jones was reading the sports news for Nine’s evening news bulletin live from Melbourne Park on Friday night when a large group of Djokovic fans holding Serbian flags began cheering in the background behind him.
“Welcome back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans, they’re in full voice,” Jones said.
“The chants are quite extraordinary,” he added, before firing a few bold sledges back to the Djokovic fans.
“Novak, he’s overrated,” Jones sang.
“Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out.
“Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me. Anyway, let’s get onto the tennis.”
As he finished his bulletin, Jones said: “Alright that wraps it up from Melbourne Park. Somehow I’m going to have to get out of here.
“No we’re fine, we had selfies. I told them I was Clint Stanaway.”
Nine newsreader Tom Steinfort responded: “I didn’t think anyone would be more unpopular than Danielle Collins after last night’s antics, but Tony you’ve taken the cake.”
In a comment provided to news.com.au after the incident, Jones said: “It was good natured banter with the Serbian fans. We’ve been doing it all tournament and it’s all in good fun. This is the happy Slam.”
Djokovic spoke with Australian Open boss Craig Tiley about the boycott in the tunnels under the stadium after his win.
“It’s exactly what I told you. That’s what I told him. I haven’t seen him since that happened,” Djokovic said.
“He was communicating with my agent and my team. I just wanted to make sure, as I have really nice relationship with Craig, I think he’s a phenomenal guy that always tries to help players and understand the players’ needs or demands, so I just wanted to make sure that he knows where I stand and the reasons behind it.
“So I told him, you know, If you guys want to fine me for not giving an on-court interview, that’s okay, I’ll accept that ‘cause I feel like this is something that needs to be done. That’s all there is to it.”
Djokovic denied fan behaviour was a reason for him not doing the interview, though he did not deny the crowd was rowdy.
“No, look, nothing that really stands out or extraordinary. Every match something different
happens,” Djokovic said.
“I already explained myself the reason why I wasn’t giving an interview, is not for the crowd, it was for the Channel 9 situation.”
The Serbian will return to action on Tuesday when he goes up against Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinal stages.
Whether he conducts any interviews with Channel 9 in the meantime remains to be seen.
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Originally published as ‘Absolute tool’: World reacts after Novak Djokovic boycotts Channel 9
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