under the whistles, Djokovic sends his interview onto the court, angered by “insulting comments” from a journalist

A scene rare enough to be highlighted. Authoritarian winner in three sets over Czech Jiri Lehečka in the round of 16 of the Australian Open this Sunday, Novak Djokovic did not want to hang around on the court. In fact, the Serb simply refused the traditional post-match interview reserved for the winner and conducted by Jim Courier.

«Thank you very much for being here this evening. I appreciate your support and see you in the next round», said the master of the house, ten times winner of the Australian Grand Slam, before turning on his heel. A surprising choice which surprised the audience at the Rod Laver Arena, “Djoko” leaving the court under the whistles.

«A few days ago, a famous sports journalist from Channel 9 made fun of Serbian fans and made insulting comments about me», assured the Serb at a press conference, without specifying the exact nature of the remarks. Neither the journalist concerned, whose name Djokovic did not give, nor his employer presented him with “public apology». «Since Channel 9 is the official broadcaster» of the Australian Open, the former world number one decided to no longer grant them an interview as long as the channel does not apologize. “I’ll let Channel 9 handle the situation however they see fit.», concluded the Serb.

«Novak is overrated, Novak is in the past, Novak send him out”

Since Friday evening, a video showing Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones mocking Novak Djokovic supporters has been circulating on social media. “We’re back at Melbourne Park, where you can see Novak Djokovic fans singing their hearts out», declares the journalist. “The chants are quite extraordinary: +Novak is overrated+, +Novak is in the past+, +Novak expel him+», Continues Tony Jones, three years after the Serb was expelled from Australia for his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. “I’m glad they can’t hear me», concludes the presenter.

On Sunday, Novak Djokovic stressed that he had “notnothing against Jim Courier“, who was to conduct the interview on court, “nor against the Australian public.» He also clarified that he would agree to pay the fine provided for players who do not comply with post-match interviews, theoretically obligatory. On Tuesday, the world number 7 will meet Carlos Alcaraz for a quarter-final at the top.

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