Novak Djokovic Australian Open controversy: Tony Jones comments labelled ‘racist’ by former tennis star
Sports broadcaster Tony Jones’ controversial comments about Novak Djokovic have been branded a “disgrace” and “racist” by former world No 8 Marcos Baghdatis.
Baghdatis, an Australian Open runner-up in 2006, expressed his surprise that Jones was still allowed to enter the tournament site and suggested that the presenter should lose his job.
Jones sparked outrage after making disparaging remarks about Djokovic in front of a crowd of Serbian fans live on Australian broadcaster Channel 9.
The presenter mocked the Djokovic supporters, who were chanting, by saying: “Novak, he’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out. Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me.”
The “kick him out” comment was seemingly a disrespectful reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in 2022.
Djokovic refused to do an on-court interview after his fourth round win against Jiri Lehecka on Sunday, instead briefly thanking the crowd for their support.
The tennis legend explained in his post-match press conference that this decision was a response to Jones’ comments before addressing the matter in a video shared on social media.
“Hey guys, thank you all for your support,” said Djokovic. “It was a great match again against Lehecka, who’s in form. Looking forward to the next match-up with Carlos, and I just want to take a moment to reflect on what happened on the court.
“The reason why I did not do an interview that is a common practice, after the match for the winner to do a post-match interview – I just wanted to clarify with everyone what happened.
“The reason why I chose not to do that is that a few days ago, a famous sports journalist from here in Australia, who works for a main broadcaster of the Australian Open – Channel 9 – decided to mock Serbian fans, and he made insulting and offensive comments towards me.
“So I was hoping he was going to apologise in public, which he hasn’t done yet, and neither did Channel 9, so that’s the only reason why I didn’t do the interview.
“It was, of course, not a great feeling for me and it was quite awkward on the court. Jim Courier is the one who came out, I have tremendous respect for him and I always love speaking to Jim.
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“I know that a lot of people wanted to hear me speak so I apologise for everyone in the stadium not being able to hear me speak, and on the TV as well.
“That’s the main reason and I have to stand by my decision and hold these stands until something is done. I leave it to Channel 9 and hopefully that situation will change for the next match.”
Baghdatis, who played professionally between 2003 and 2019, slammed Jones and called for action to be taken against the broadcaster.
“What Jones said was really disrespectful to Novak and to tennis,” the Cypriot was quoted as saying by the Australian Financial Review newspaper.
“I’m surprised he’s still allowed to be in the grounds. It’s up to Tennis Australia and Channel Nine… but I think it’s a disgrace.
“Actions should be taken. We can’t let it go so easily because we’re talking about racism, in my opinion.”
On Monday, Jones broke his silence in a statement and divulged that he had apologised to Djokovic.
“I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do,” said Jones.
“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 an apology to them. And as I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak.
“They come here with the flags and they provide so much colour and so much passion and there was banter, so I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter.
“Quite clearly, that hasn’t been interpreted that way. So I do feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans.”
