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Sunday, February 16, 2025

Interview boycott: Channel 9 apologises to Djokovic

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Channel 9 has issued a formal apology to Novak Djokovic after the Serbian tennis star refused to take part in a customary post-match interview following his victory over Jiri Lehecka at the Australian Open on Sunday night.

The decision was prompted by comments made by sports presenter Tony Jones, who referred to Djokovic as “overrated” and a “has-been” during an on-air segment.

In a statement released on Monday, Channel 9 expressed regret for any offence caused by the remarks, stating, “No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans.” The network assured that it would continue to showcase Djokovic’s campaign at Melbourne Park, reiterating its support for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Jones also appeared on Channel 9’s ‘Today’ programme to offer his own apology, clarifying that his comments were meant as “banter” and acknowledging the offence they caused. “I considered it to be humor, which is consistent with most things I do,” Jones said. “However, I do feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans. I’m not just saying this to try and wriggle out of trouble; I genuinely feel for those fans.”

Djokovic, who did not explicitly name Jones in his statements, conveyed his dissatisfaction with the broadcaster during a press conference following his match. The 37-year-old expressed that the remarks were disrespectful not only to him but also to his supporters, particularly Serbian fans. While he did not conduct the scheduled post-match interview with former player Jim Courier, Djokovic addressed the spectators directly, thanking them for their support and stating, “I’ll see you next round.”

In his remarks, Djokovic made clear that his frustration was aimed at Channel 9 and Jones, not Courier or the fans in attendance. He further clarified that he had communicated his concerns directly to Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, and was prepared to accept any fines that might result from his refusal to take part in the interview. “If they 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,” Djokovic said.

The dispute has captured widespread attention, with figures such as Elon Musk offering support to Djokovic’s decision to engage with the public directly rather than through traditional media channels. As the controversy continues to unfold, Djokovic’s stance has added an unexpected layer of drama to his Australian Open campaign.

As the 2025 tournament moves forward, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he prepares for his quarterfinal match. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the role of sports media and the power dynamics between athletes and broadcasters.

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