Australian independent senator Jacqui Lambie has teed off on Novak Djokovic, just two years after she called for the champion Serbian tennis player to be deported.
Djokovic has announced he will refuse interviews with Australian Open broadcaster Channel Nine until he receives an apology for comments made by sports anchor Tony Jones he found insulting.
During a Friday night segment, Jones directed controversial comments toward Djokovic supporters waving Serbian flags.
‘Novak’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out…Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me,’ he said.
The remarks caused an uproar among Djokovic fans, many calling them unprofessional and offensive.
The phrase ‘kick him out’ was particularly controversial, as it was perceived as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in 2021.
Australian senator Jacquie Lambie defended Tony Jones’ comments at the Australian Open
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic was not amused by Jones’ comments and launched a media boycott against Channel Nine
Jones has since apologised to Djokovic and his supporters for his tongue-in-cheek comments
The incident remains a painful memory for the 10-time Australian Open champion, who has described it as one of the most challenging experiences of his life.
Following his victory that secured a spot in the quarter-finals for the 15th time in Melbourne, Djokovic chose not to participate in the customary on-court interview.
Later, during a press conference, he confirmed his decision to boycott Channel Nine until an apology is issued.
Djokovic expressed disappointment with the comments, stating they ‘made a mockery of Serbian fans.’
‘I’d like to just clarify the reason why it was not conducted on the court,’ Djokovic said.
‘A couple of days ago the famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me. And since then he chose not to issue any public apology, neither did Nine.
‘Since they’re official broadcasters I chose not to give interviews for Channel 9. I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public. It’s unfortunate.
‘I chose to say something to the crowd but obviously wasn’t the time and situation to explain what I’m doing right now.
‘I leave it to Nine to handle this the way they see fit.’
He also reiterated his stance in a video posted on his social media channels, re-enforcing his commitment to the boycott.
‘I’m on TJ’s side,’ she said, holding up a coffee cup that had the message ‘you smell like drama and a headache, please get away from me’ printed on it.
‘Can you see my coffee cup?’
Today Show host Sarah Abo replied, ‘you don’t want to draw the ire of Novak, do you?’.
The independent senator then defended the embattled reporter and started yelling, ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi’.
It comes after Lambie previously called for Djokovic to be banned from playing at the Australian Open and deported because of his vaccination status.
‘The rules are you’re either doubled-vaxxed and if you’re not, you’re not coming in. It’s pretty simple,’ Ms Lambie said.
Djokovic’s stance has divided tennis fans, with some saying the comments were disrespectful and others saying they should be taken in the humourous context they were intended
Jones has returned to work for Channel Nine at the Australian Open after his apology
Djokovic’s stance against Jones and Channel Nine has divided Australians, with some believing it was simple banter – including 3AW presenters Ross Stevenson, Russel Howcroft and Mark Allen.
‘If Mick Molloy or Sam Pang said the same thing, everybody would’ve been bent over and knee slapping … it was said in fun,’ Allen said.
‘It makes me think that he’s being misled by people about what actually happened,’ Stevenson added.
Australian tennis coach Darren Cahill said on ESPN in America Jones was just trying to be funny.
‘He’s been in the industry for years and years and years. I’m sure Tony was trying to be funny, but it was inappropriate and I don’t blame Novak for taking offence to that,’ he said.
However several, including Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, have leapt to the defence of Djokovic and slammed Jones for his comments.
Kyrgios shared a video of the video clip to his Instagram stories on Sunday, writing: ‘Coming from this clown – couldn’t run around a park this bloke.’
German tennis legend Boris Becker, who previously coached Djokovic, also lashed Jones on social media.
‘That’s actually very disturbing behaviour from a tv broadcaster who works for Channel 9,’ Becker posted.
‘Does he still have a job for the rest of the tournament?’
And two-time grand slam winner Victoria Azarenka also launched a passionate defence of Djokovic.
‘The audacity to call Novak Djokovic overrated by a reporter is just insane,’ she tweeted.
‘The guy literally completed tennis by winning everything you can in our sport!’
Jones issued a public apology on Channel Nine on Monday morning and said he also apologised to Djokovic two days earlier.
‘If I could turn it back time right, and I know we’ve all got PhDs in hindsight, I think the one thing where I overstepped the mark, and this is certainly what’s really sort of angered Novak Djokovic and his camp, is the last comment I made in that back and forth with the crowd — ‘kick him out’,’ Jones said.
‘Now, I can stand here and put whatever spin on that, but it can only be interpreted as a throwback to the COVID years when he [Djokovic] was kicked out [over his vaccination status].
‘Now, that has angered Novak, which I completely understand now. So look, it has been an unfortunate situation. It’s been one of personal angst for Novak.
‘It’s quite clearly personal angst for me as well. But I just think the priority here now is to focus on the tennis again.’
