Written by Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 19, 2025
Picture credit score: Andy Cheung/Getty
Discuss is affordable, however the large joke referred to as Channel 9’s courtroom interview with him Novak Djokovic.
Ten-time Australian Open champion Djokovic declined an on-court interview with Corridor of Famer Jim Courier after his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) AO fourth-round victory. Jiri Lehecka.
Extra: Sinner and Cahill will likely be separated after 2025
“Thanks for being right here tonight. Thanks for being there and for the assist. See you within the subsequent spherical,” Djokovic advised followers at Rod Laver Enviornment earlier than handing the microphone again to Courier and going to signal autographs earlier than leaving the court docket.
In his post-match assertion afterwards, the 37-year-old Serbian participant stated he ignored the on-court interview arguing that Channel 9 hosts Tony Jones mocking the Serbian followers and insulting Djokovic himself as a “failure” and “extreme.”
Jones’ feedback have been echoed by Channel 9 broadcaster as Serbian followers celebrated Djokovic’s victory with chants of “Nole! Nole!” whereas waving Serbian flags. Jones, apparently aggravated by the chanting Serbian followers, taunted the gang with a chant that imitated the Serbian followers however stated “Novak, you are over it….Novak, you are the one who’s been round.”
Angered by Jones’ feedback—and the shortage of apology from the hosts or Channel 9—Djokovic stated he boycotted the interview, would settle for any penalty that will come and had no intention of adjusting his place.
“A couple of days in the past, a well-known sports activities journalist who works for the official broadcaster, Channel 9 right here in Australia, made enjoyable of the Serbian followers and stated insulting phrases about me,” stated Djokovic to the media in Melbourne. “And since then, he selected to not apologize to the general public. Likewise to Channel 9. So since they’re official broadcasters, I selected to not talk about them on Channel 9.
“I’ve nothing towards Jim Courier or the Australian public. It was an unlucky state of affairs for me to face the court docket as we speak. It is unlucky that I selected to say one thing to the gang, but it surely was clearly not the time, place or state of affairs. to elucidate what I am doing proper now.
“I depart it to Channel 9 to deal with this as they see match. That is all.”
If somebody tells us that now we have to attend two days @carlosalcaraz vs @DjokerNole.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/O3vLhMAZMX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Former land no. 1 stated he had talked to him AO Event Director Craig Tiley and advised Tiley that he would pay any fines levied for his boycott.
Nonetheless, Djokovic stated he’ll preserve his place and the ball is now in Channel 9’s court docket to resolve the disagreement.
“I needed to make it possible for, since I’ve a very good relationship with Craig, I believe he is an incredible one who at all times tries to assist the gamers and perceive the wants of the gamers or their calls for, so I needed to make it possible for he knew the place I used to be. standing and the explanations behind that,” stated Djokovic. “So I advised him that, you understand, If you wish to wonderful me for not giving an interview in court docket, that is wonderful, I’ll settle for that as a result of I really feel that that is the precise factor to do.
“That is all there’s.”
ESPN analyst Darren Cahill, who’s there once more That is Jannik Sinner’s place coach, stated Djokovic has each proper to be offended.
“I am positive Tony was making an attempt to be humorous,” Cahill advised ESPN. “But it surely should not have been. And I do not blame Novak for upsetting that.”
Djokovic, who equaled Roger Federer’s document fifteenth AO quarterfinal, will face reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz within the semifinals in an Olympic gold medal rematch.
