Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during a fourth round match against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
At the end of tennis matches, it is customary that the winner shares a few words on the on-court interview but on Sunday, Novak Djokovic refused to give the interview which left everyone baffled. Later though, Djokovic explained his decision saying that he boycotted the on-court interaction because of some anti-Serbian comments from the presenter of the lead broadcaster of the Australian Open.
“I would like to just clarify the reason why the interview was not conducted on the court, the post-match interview, like it’s a common, usual practice. Couple days ago the famous sports journalist (Tony Jones) who works for official broadcaster, Channel 9 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 Channel 9,” Djokovic said in the post-match press conference as per Fox Sports.
“So since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel 9. I have nothing against Jim Courier or neither the Australian public. It was a very awkward situation for me to face on the court today. It’s unfortunate I chose to say something to the crowd, but obviously wasn’t the time and space or situation for me to explain what I’m doing right now,” he added.
Novak Djokovic gives his reason for on court interview snub…due to channel 9News sportscaster insults. pic.twitter.com/FNtVCr6u63
— asud (@asud683385) January 19, 2025
On Friday, Jones was reading a bulletin when a large group of Djokovic fans who were holding Serbian flags were cheering for their national hero.
New:
Novak Djokovic confirmed in his press conference just now that he boycotted his #AusOpen post-match interview tonight because of the host broadcaster, Channel 9, and its lack of apology for its anchor Tony Jones mocking Djokovic’s fans recently on-air. pic.twitter.com/wZdc0HivvM
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 19, 2025
“Welcome back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans, they’re in full voice. The chants are quite extraordinary. Novak, he’s overrated. 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,” the presenter had said.
On Sunday, Djokovic trampled all over Czech 24th seed Jiri Lehecka to seal a 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) win and book a blockbuster clash with Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarter-finals before snubbing the Grand Slam’s official broadcaster.
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