Djokovic responds to Tony Jones’ apology for ‘kick him out’ comments

Tennis Australia says Novak Djokovic is moving on from what the star player labelled “insulting and offensive” remarks by Nine presenter Tony Jones, as the official Australian Open broadcaster bolsters security arrangements in response to backlash from Serbian community leaders.

Jones apologised on Monday on-air to Djokovic and Serbian fans for “any disrespect” caused when he chanted, “Novak, he’s overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak, kick him out,” during live Australian Open television coverage.

Jones said he had already apologised privately for the comments, which he had intended as playful banter. Nevertheless, the remarks prompted the 10-time Open champion to boycott a post-match interview, and drew condemnation from tennis stars and the Serbian community.

The comments also prompted the Serbian Council of Australia to lodge a human rights complaint and call for Jones to be fired, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged “kindness and generosity”.

“I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly, that hasn’t been interpreted that way,” Jones said. “So I do feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans.”

Two security sources not authorised to speak publicly told this masthead that additional safety arrangements had been put in place by tennis authorities and the host broadcaster. Both Nine, the owner of this masthead, and Tennis Australia declined to comment on those arrangements.

Channel Nine sports presenter Tony Jones (right) has publicly apologised to Novak Djokovic.Credit: Nine

Extra security was seen stationed on site on Monday, and the bolstered arrangements will continue into Tuesday night, when Djokovic is due to play rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz in Djokovic’s 15th quarter-final appearance at the tournament. The clash is expected to attract a large contingent of vocal fans.

Tensions between the presenter and Djokovic emerged after Nine interviewer and former Australian Open champion Jim Courier approached the Serbian ace for a traditional on-court interview on Sunday night following his victory over Czech seed Jiri Lehecka.

Djokovic declined the interview, briefly thanking the crowd and walking away. He was then seen in animated conversation with Australian Open boss Craig Tiley before heading to his post-match press conference.

Djokovic later posted a video message to his social media followers saying that he would continue to boycott interviews until he received a public apology from Jones, who he said “made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me”.

On Monday afternoon, a Tennis Australia spokeswoman said “Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested and is now moving on and focusing on his next match”.

The Serbian Council of Australia lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission and called for Jones to be dismissed over the incident. It said Jones had talked to Australian-Serbian fans before a live broadcast and asked them to begin chanting and cheering before making comments about them that were “offensive, racist and only serve to incite further discrimination of Australian Serbs.

“For Australian Serbs, the words ‘kick him out’ is akin to saying ‘kick the Serbs out of Australia’ because there is strong evidence of feelings of exclusion due to media reporting about Australian Serbs in the past.”

Serbia’s ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, expressed his “profound concern” to Nine, in particular over the remark: “Novak, kick him out.

“That event [his 2022 deportation] is still very much present in the minds of the Serbian people worldwide, including within more than a hundred thousand Australians of Serbian origin, who were also collectively victimised at the time,” Stefanovic said in an email on Monday morning.

“The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia considers that Mr Jones’ comments are totally inappropriate and disrespectful towards – we will proudly say – the greatest tennis player of all [time] and the record-holding 10 times winner of the Australian Open tennis tournament in men’s singles,” he said in a statement.

“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.”

Serbian tabloids reported that Jones, who they said had insulted Djokovic and Serbs, had a history of attacking Djokovic.

Several websites have revived Jones’ comments from 2022, when he said: “There is certainly sentiment running high for Novak Djokovic, which certainly wasn’t the case probably two weeks ago when he was very much the villain.

“But now the villain, it would seem, has become a victim.”

Jones’ apologies came as Djokovic’s on-court interview boycott sparked discussion around the world, including from Elon Musk, who was in favour of Djokovic’s decision to shun the media organisation.

Meanwhile, tennis names, including former world No.1 Boris Becker; Australian player Nick Kyrgios; Jannik Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill; and Belarusian star Victoria Azarenka, spoke out in support of Djokovic.

Azarenka questioned “the audacity” of calling Djokovic overrated, while Becker asked whether Jones should “still have a job for the rest of the tournament”.

Albanese weighed in, calling for more “kindness and generosity”.

Asked by ABC Sydney host Hamish Macdonald whether Djokovic deserved an apology from Nine, the prime minister said: “I think Novak Djokovic is certainly a fine tennis player, there’s no doubt about that.

“And I do think there is a place for more respect. I’ve seen the comments made by [Jones]. We need more kindness and generosity and respect across the board. That’s what people are looking for.”

Before his public apology, Tennis Australia had told Jones that Djokovic was “not happy at all with [his] comments”. Both Jones and Nine apologised publicly to the 24-time grand slam title champion on Monday morning.

“I stand by that apology to Novak if he felt any disrespect, which quite clearly he does,” Jones said in a recorded segment on the morning show Today.

Jones said the comment that “overstepped the mark” was when he said “kick him out” in reference to the former world No.1’s deportation from Australia three years ago during the COVID pandemic.

“That has angered Novak, which I completely understand now,” Jones said. “So look, it has been an unfortunate situation. It’s been one of personal angst for Novak. It’s quite clearly personal angst for me as well.”

Nine released a statement saying the tournament broadcaster looked forward to showcasing Djokovic’s Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.

“Nine would like to apologise to Novak Djokovic for any offence caused from comments made during a recent live cross,” it read. “No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans.”

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