Novak Djokovic beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to set up a blockbuster quarter-final with Carlos Alcaraz but boycotted his post-match on court interview after a TV reporter mocked Serbian fans.
Djokovic, who is looking to break Margaret Court’s all-time singles record for men and women of 24 Grand Slams, thanked the crowd for coming out to support him but did not conduct the usual formal interview with Jim Courier.
The Serbian revealed his protest was in reaction to Australian Channel 9 anchor Tony Jones mocking Djokovic’s fans recently on-air.
“Thank you very much for your support and I’ll see you in the next round,” said Djokovic, before he signed some autographs and walked off the court.
Courier explains Djokovic situation
Jim Courier on Eurosport:
“He just didn’t feel like having a chat. I had no idea that was going to happen. There’s no obligation for the players to do it.
“It’s an opportunity for them to speak to the people in the stadium and fans that are watching around the world.
“Initially, I thought sometimes if a player is injured, or cramping they might not do it, but I don’t think it was that.”
Jones’ comments came on Friday when he had a sea of Serbian fans behind him when presenting. As the Djokovic fans chanted, Jones mocked them by saying into his microphone: “Novak is overrated. Novak is a has-been. Novak – kick him out. I’m glad they can’t hear me.”
Later in the press conference, Djokovic clarified the situation from his perspective.
“A couple days ago the famous sports journalist 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,” he said.
“And since then, he chose not to issue any public apology. Neither did Channel 9. So since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel 9.
“I have nothing against Jim Courier or 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.
“I leave it to Channel 9 to handle this the way they think, they see fit. That’s all.”
Novak Djokovic made his feelings clear to the crowd during the third set against Jiri Lehecka
How Djokovic beat Lehecka
It was a cagey start to the match as the opening six games were shared before Djokovic ramped up the speed of his hitting and moved 5-3 up, before serving out the set.
Djokovic broke immediately at the start of the second and held that advantage throughout as Lehecka made several unforced errors.
Things changed in the third though when Lehecka punched back, having been broken again early in the third, to break back himself and found his rhythm.
Djokovic was unable to convert his break point chances, so the set ended up at 5-5, with the Serbian rattled by spectators who began to call out in between serves.
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Novak Djokovic was not at his vintage best but did enough to reach his 15th Australian Open quarter-final
A tie-break was required to separate the players in the third and Djokovic produced some of his best Tennis, interacting with the crowd by gesturing to his ear after big points as he went on to seal a place in the quarter-finals against Alcaraz, who earlier saw off Jack Draper after the British No 1 retired due to injury after two sets.
Alcaraz and Djokovic have met seven times, with the Serbian leading the head-to-head 4-3. Djokovic also won their last match at the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s singles final.
Carlos Alcaraz will be hoping to replicate his win over Djokovic from last year’s Wimbledon final
The pair will face each other in Tuesday’s night session on Rod Laver to battle for a semi-finals spot.
Alexander Zverev overcame a second-set blip to beat Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-1 2-6 6-3 6-2 to reach his fourth Australian Open quarter-final.
Zverev will face Tommy Paul in the last eight after the American defeated thrashed Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-1 6-1.
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