Novak Djokovic halts interview amid concerning sight

All eyes were always going to be on Novak Djokovic’s post-match interview with Channel 9 and he was rattled in the middle of a question.

Novak Djokovic was left rattled in his on-court interview on Tuesday night after spotting his children in the stands at 1am (AEDT).

The 24-time grand slam champ put on a masterclass to outlast Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in a quarter-final blockbuster at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night.

The Serb had to come back from the brink of retirement as he battled an early leg injury, which he refused to give details about in his post-match press conference.

The three hours and 37 minute firefight had everything, but there were plenty of viewers who had just decided to stick around into the early hours of the morning to witness the 37-year-old’s post-match interview with Jim Courier.

Djokovic sensationally boycotted his interview with Channel 9 following his fourth round win after Channel 9 host Tony Jones chanted “kick him out” when taunting Serbian fans at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic has clearly moved on and there were no signs of further angst between the network and his support staff when he spoke with Courier.

The only issue was his children.

You can watch the family’s adorable moment in the video player above.

Novak Djokovic won't be on dad duties on Wednesday morning. Photo: YouTube, Australian Open.

The proud dad of two came unstuck during his chat with Courier when he spotted daughter Tara and son Stefan sitting in the front row of his players’ box alongside wife Jelena.

When asked about his track-record of playing through injury issues at the Australian Open, the 10-time Aussie Open champion admitted he had lost concentration.

“Sorry, I heard your question,” he said.

“But I’m surprised my kids are still here. I love you and thanks for supporting me. But when are you going to sleep tonight?

“They don’t want me to speak about them. OK, back to tennis.”

His response was given as Tara tapped her wrist, mimicking the act of tapping a watch to give her dad a wind up.

Djokovic was later seen hugging his kids and carrying Tara over his shoulders in the tunnel through to the players’ locker room area under the stadium.

You couldn’t take the smile off his face after such an epic contest.

“I just wish this match today was the final. I don’t know if Sascha [Alexander] Zverev is still awake and watching,” he said.

“This was one of the most epic matches I’ve played on any court, really.”

He said in his press conference: “The crowd was into it. So much energy on the court. It was amazing. It felt like it was finals of a slam, to be honest.

“I wish it was. I mean, credit to him for fighting. I think we both gave all on the court tonight. Hopefully people saw that.”

He was asked about his dramas with Channel 9 only once.

“I think I’ve experienced that few times in my career,” he said of playing his best tennis when surrounded by off-court controversy.

“Experience helps of understanding how to face adversity and draw, I guess, the right (and) necessary strength and energy that you feed off in order to win a tennis match, to win a tournament.

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t recall last time it was any slam without some form of drama, to be honest (smiling).

“I guess that’s part of it. We are out here competing and giving our best to grab a Grand Slam title.”

With former rival Andy Murray now in his coaching corner, Djokovic was at his imperious and defiant best, cupping his ear to the crowd after winning big points.

It is his 12th time reaching the semi-finals in Melbourne.

The happy family. Picture: Michael Klein.

There were some tired eyes. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, a four-time slam champ, is still yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals at the Australian major.

The world No. 3 felt he should have rammed home the advantage when Djokovic was struggling with his movement.

“I’m going to say that was the biggest mistake that I made today,” he said.

Djokovic extended his career advantage over Alcaraz to 5-3, having also beaten him in the Paris Olympics final in their last meeting.

Alcaraz got the better of his rival in the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals.

The big cloud hanging over Djokovic as he progresses to a semi-final with Zverev will be how serious his mystery injury is.

“I’m not going to go into details, but it’s very similar to what I had few years ago. 2023, to be exact. I haven’t done any tests obviously,” he said.

“I mean, I’ve done tests with the physio when they took me off the court, when I had the medical timeout. He strapped me, and then the doctor gave me some medication, so forth, some painkillers. That kicked in after 20, 30 minutes. It did help. Then I had to take another dose I think in the beginning of the fourth.

“Yeah, now that it’s cooling off, I can start to feel different things. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow and day by day.”

Originally published as Novak Djokovic halts interview amid concerning sight