Controversy at the Australian Open –
Media boycott: journalist apologizes to Djokovic
After comments deemed “insulting” by Novak Djokovic who snubbed on-court interviews, the journalist apologized. The hatchet seems to be buried in Australia.
Published today at 11:14 a.m.
Novak Djokovic was very tense after his victory in the round of 16 of the Australian Open, in reaction to comments deemed “insulting” from a journalist.
AFP
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- Djokovic refused to answer questions on court after comments deemed insulting.
- He expressed his dissatisfaction at a press conference and on the social network X.
- Journalist Tony Jones apologized after contacting Djokovic’s team. The Serb finally accepted the public apology.
The video has ignited social networks since Friday evening. We see Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones making fun of Novak Djokovic supporters. “We’re back at Melbourne Park, where you can see Novak Djokovic’s fans singing at the top of their lungs,” says the journalist, employed by the official broadcaster of the first Grand Slam of the season, as images of the fans flash back and forth -plan.
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The journalist, employed by the official broadcaster of the first Grand Slam of the season, is openly making fun of the Serbian. “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,” the presenter concludes.
Djokovic reacts firmly
The Tennis player’s reaction was immediate. And without concessions. Disturbed by what he considers “insulting comments” by the Australian Grand Slam broadcaster, the ten-time winner of the competition refused to answer questions on court after his victory in 8e final of the Australian Open.
-A protest which he then explained at a press conference, specifying that he would not give any more interviews to Channel 9 until a public apology had been presented.
The Serb also published a video on the social network X in the night from Sunday to Monday in which he explains the reasons which led him to this boycott. “The ball is in Channel 9’s court and I hope the situation will change by the next match,” Djokovic declared in particular.
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A video which has been viewed more than 60 million times and republished in particular by the owner of the social network Elon Musk, who was pleased that the former world number 1 speaks “directly to people” rather than through the media.
“Chambering”
Faced with the lightning from “Djoko”, the pinned journalist affirmed Monday morning during a program on Channel 9 that he considered his comments on Friday to be “challenge.” “I thought it was humor, as I often do live,” he added. That being said, I was informed on Saturday morning that Djokovic and his team were very angry.”
After contacting the Serbian’s team to apologize, Tony Jones “reiterated his apology” on television. The hatchet seems to have been buried after this public apology. “Novak acknowledges that the apology was made publicly as he requested,” Tennis Australia said in a statement to the press on Monday.
“He is now moving on and focusing on his next match”, a quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz, continued the Australian federation, organizer of the first Grand Slam of the season.
Channel 9 also made amends in a statement, stressing that it had “no intention of hurting Novak or his fans”.
ATS/SBO
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