The ten-time winner of the Australian Open Novak Djokovic (7th in the world) justified his hasty exit from the court on Sunday at the Australian Open, without giving the traditional post-match interview, with “insulting comments” 'a journalist employed by the tournament's official broadcaster.
After his victory in three sets in the round of 16 in Melbourne against the Czech Live in Lehecka (29e), Novak Djokovic quickly left the court at Rod Laver Arena, without stopping to perform the ritual post-match interview.
“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 Djokovic did not give the name, nor did his employer present him with“public apology”.
“Given Channel 9 is the official broadcaster” of the Australian Open, the former world No.1 decided to no longer grant them an interview and to refrain from doing post-match interviews as long as the channel does not apologize.
“I'll let Channel 9 handle the situation,” concluded the Serbian, who will face in the quarter-finals Carlos Alcaraz (3e).
-Since Friday evening, a video showing the Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones make fun of the supporters of Novak Djokovic circulating on social networks.
“We're back at Melbourne Park, where you can see Novak Djokovic's 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 Jonesthree years after the Serbian was kicked out of Australia for his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. “I’m glad they can’t hear me.”concludes the presenter.
Sunday, Novak Djokovic emphasized that he did not “nothing 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.
