Novak Djokovic quietly reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open this Sunday, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday.
The Serbian tennis player did not give the traditional post-match interview, prompting whistles from the audience.
He justified his refusal with “insulting comments” from a journalist employed by the tournament’s official broadcaster.
Ten-time winner of the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic did not tremble in sporting terms this Sunday, January 19. Facing the Czech Jiri Lehecka (29th), the Serbian tennis player won 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) and reached the quarter-finals for the 15th time in Australia, a record that he shares with the Swiss Roger Federer. He will face world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday in Melbourne.
On the non-sporting aspect, however, Novak Djokovic shone less. After his victory in three sets, he quickly left the court of the Rod Laver Arena, without stopping to carry out the ritual post-match interview, planned with former American tennis player Jim Courier. The ten-time winner of the Australian Open, 7th player in the world, justified his hasty exit from the court by “insulting comments” from a journalist employed by the official tournament broadcaster. “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 Novak Djokovic did not give, nor his employer presented him with any“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 as long as the channel does not apologize. “I will let Channel 9 handle the situation in whatever way they see fit.”indicated the Serb.
A planned fine
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’s fans singing along”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 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.
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On Sunday, Novak Djokovic stressed that he had no “nothing against Jim Courier”with whom he “likes to chat”, “nor against the Australian public”. The player also clarified that he would agree to pay the fine provided for players who do not comply with post-match interviews, theoretically obligatory.
