Novak Djokovic accepts apology from Nine host Tony Jones after interview boycott
Updated . First published
Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has accepted an apology from Nine's Tony Jones after feeling "disrespected" by a live TV interaction with Serbian fans on Friday night.
"Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested, and is now moving on and focusing on his next match," the statement, which was released by Tennis Australia, said.
On Monday morning, sports presenter Jones issued an apology to Djokovic for recent on-air comments relating to the seventh seed and his Serbian fanbase.
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Djokovic boycotted an on-court interview following his fourth-round win over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday night and later explained it was because of the comments Jones had made during a 9News broadcast.
Jones addressed the issue on Nine's Today.
"Well, one of disappointment that it's come to this, I've got to say," he said.
"The comments were made on the news on the Friday night, which I considered to be banter. I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do.
Tony Jones addresses the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open 2025. Graphic: Tara Blancato
"Having said that, I was made aware on Saturday morning, from Tennis Australia via the Djokovic camp, that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments. As such I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued and apology to them - 48 hours ago - for any disrespect that Novak felt, that I had caused.
"As I stand here now I can only stand by that apology to Novak.
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"I should also say the disrespect was extended, in many ways, to the Serbian fans. We have built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans... there is banter, and I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that has not been interpreted that way.
"I feel as though I've let down the Serbian fans.
"It has been an unfortunate situation."
Watch the full Jones address in the video at the top of the page.
