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PM calls for ‘more kindness and generosity’
Even Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has weighed in on the Djokovic-Jones controversy this morning.
Asked by ABC Sydney host Hamish Macdonald whether Djokovic deserved an apology from Nine, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese replied: “I’ll let that go through to the keeper. That’s a matter between them.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.Credit: Getty Images
He then went a step further: “But I think Novak Djokovic is certainly a fine tennis player, there’s no doubt about that.
“And I do think there is a place for more respect. I’ve seen the comments made by [Jones]. We need more kindness and generosity and respect across the board. That’s what people are looking for.”
Jones to address controversy on-air
Nine presenter Tony Jones is expected to address the controversy with Novak Djokovic on air in the next hour.
We will bring you coverage of that as soon as it happens.
Nine, the owner of this masthead, has not made any comment on the issue after Djokovic’s comments last night.
Becker: ‘Very disturbing behaviour’
Novak Djokovic’s former coach, the ex-world No.1 German player Boris Becker, has weighed in to the Djokovic-Jones controversy. Early this morning, Becker quote tweeted the video that sparked Djokovic’s call to boycott Nine interviews.
“That’s actually very disturbing behaviour from a TV broadcaster who works for Channel Nine,” Becker said.
“Does he still have a job for the rest of the tournament?”
Djokovic boycotts on-court interview
In case you missed it last night, Novak Djokovic refused to take part in the customary post-match, on-court interview after a win.
Djokovic said he would refuse any interviews with host broadcaster Channel Nine, owner of this masthead, until he received an apology over comments made by the network’s sports anchor Tony Jones that he deemed to be “insulting and offensive”.
The 10-time Australian Open champion chose not to speak on court to Jim Courier after booking his spot in the quarter-finals for the 15th time in Melbourne. Later, in his media conference, he told reporters he would continue his boycott of the local broadcaster until he gets an apology.
Djokovic said he believed comments made by Jones on Channel Nine last week “made a mockery of Serbian fans”.
His pledge to maintain a boycott of the network was repeated in a video posted on one of his social media accounts late on Sunday night.
“I have to stand by my decision and hold this stance until something is done,” Djokovic said in his video.
“That thing is done, so I leave it to Channel Nine and, hopefully, that situation will change for the next match.”
Serbian website Sport klub contacted Jones, who said his flat joke was the culprit.
“Unfortunately, my ‘humour’ from the previous night was wrongly interpreted as an attack on Novak. That was certainly not the case,” Jones was quoted as saying for Sport klub in an article with a date stamp of Saturday, the day before Djokovic’s match.
He said he had fun with Serbian supporters throughout the tournament.
“This was – at least I thought that way – a continuation of all that,”
“If you watch our morning show, you would get the idea how we work. Not for one moment did I think to show disrespect for Novak and I apologise – there certainly was no intention of insulting him.”
Djokovic is next scheduled to play on Tuesday in a blockbuster quarter-final against Spanish young gun Carlos Alcaraz.
The people behind the Open
By Gemma Grant
Today’s schedule
Good morning
By Claire Siracusa
Good morning and happy Monday morning ahead of what looks to be a beautiful Melbourne day – and a cracking day of tennis. The action starts later this morning but there’s plenty to get you up to speed on before then! Stay tuned.
