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Tony Jones infuriates fans for his post Australian Open final interview with Naomi Osaka

As Naomi Osaka celebrates her Australian Open triumph today, Tony Jones' 'cringeworthy' post-match interview continues to draw criticism including a stinging tweet from Carlton's star AFLW forward Darcy Vescio.

2 min read
January 26, 2019 - 11:51PM
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after winning championship point in her Women's Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after winning championship point in her Women's Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Tony Jones has been lashed on social media for what has been described as a “patronizing” and “embarrassing” interview with Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.

Jones, who headed up Channel 9’s coverage for the women’s final on Saturday night, was slammed as “terrible” and “cringeworthy”.

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Osaka, 21, walked from Rod Laver Arena to the Channel 9 set – next to Margaret Court Arena – with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup in hand after her second grand slam victory in six months, only for Jones to say that he was “not sure how you carried it all this way”.

As Osaka awkwardly searched for a response, he exclaimed “there’s the smile”.

“I’m always smiling,” the Japanese star said.

Carlton AFLW star Darcy Vescio was one of many bemused viewers who voiced their reaction on social media. Her tweet about Jones' 'ordinary' interview has gone viral, attracting more than 2000 likes and hundreds of retweets. 

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Jones then proceeded to ask Osaka how she planned to spend her $4.1 million prize cheque, declaring “we would love you to pump that back into the economy”, and was criticized on Twitter for his handling of a question regarding Osaka’s heritage.

“Your grandparents back at Japan and you left Japan as three and you still regard yourself as a Japanese player,” he said.

“It took a time for your grandparents that you and your sisters wanted to play tennis and they finally came on board.”

As he crossed to the break, Jones was further whacked for saying that the “mixed singles” would be up next.

The match to follow was the mixed doubles final, featuring Australians Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith.

Naomi Osaka with the Australian Open trophy at Brighton Beach today.
Naomi Osaka with the Australian Open trophy at Brighton Beach today.

Speaking today after her victory, Osaka revealed the secret pep talk she gave herself to refocus after dropping the second set to Petra Kvitova.

“I wanted to enjoy my time here. Last year I lost in the fourth round. Now this year I was in the final, so I wanted to be happy about that, just basically have no regrets.

“I can’t let myself act immature in a way. I should be grateful to be here and that is what I tried to be.”

Osaka said she was "beyond excited" to become the first Japanese player to claim the world No.1 ranking.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/tony-jones-infuriates-fans-for-his-post-australian-open-final-interview-with-naomi-osaka/news-story/3393e28ae5ba3fb7ba3d11c11f7c83bf