- Saga saw Djokovic boycott on-court interview at Open
- Jones labelled Serbian a ‘has been’ in live TV cross
Former tennis star turned Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki has called for Channel Nine commentator Tony Jones to be banned from covering the sport for life following the Novak Djokovic saga at the Australian Open.
In now infamous scenes, Jones labelled the 10-time winner at Melbourne Park ‘over-rated’ and a ‘has been’ during a live TV cross.
A furious Djokovic later boycotted a courtside interview with the broadcaster until he received a public apology from Jones, who later told viewers his choice of words was merely ‘banter.’
Djokovic said Jones ‘made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me’.
And after Djokovic was forced to withdraw from Serbia’s Davis Cup tie against Denmark this weekend due to the thigh injury he suffered in Melbourne during his semi-final defeat, Troicki declared Jones must be moved on by the free-to-air network.
‘There was the situation around Channel Nine, which I noticed as well. If I had hired that journalist [Jones], I would have fired him straight away. He would never work again,’ Troicki told sports website Bolavip.
Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki (pictured left) has called for Channel Nine commentator Tony Jones to be banned from covering the sport for life following the Novak Djokovic saga at the Australian Open
In now infamous scenes, Tony Jones (pictured) labelled the 10-time winner at Melbourne Park ‘over-rated’ and a ‘has been’ during a live TV cross
A furious Novak Djokovic later boycotted a courtside interview with the broadcaster until he received a public apology from Tony Jones
‘To mock an athlete during the tournament is unacceptable. I don’t think an apology is enough. ‘I think he should be banned for life from covering tennis.’
Troicki wasn’t finished yet, claiming Djokovic is unfairly targeted in Melbourne.
It follows the Covid saga in 2022, where the 24-time Grand Slam winner was sent home by then immigration minister Alex Hawke for being unvaccinated.
Djokovic also sensationally claimed he was poisoned with lead when detained at Melbourne’s Park Hotel.
‘I think they are treating Novak worse and worse. It is surprising and disappointing to see the greatest player of all time experiencing so many bad things happening in Australia again,’ Troicki said.
‘After COVID and what they did to him a few years ago, it has never been the same.’
Troicki also hit out at the Australian Open crowd, for what he perceived as ‘disrespectful’ behaviour.
‘They were booing him [Djokovic] after the injury, which I don’t think happens in any sport. Not even in football, where the crowd is normally more wild.
‘That’s why it was surprising to see, especially in a place where he has played his best tennis and has won 10 titles, that he got booed after the injury.
‘It was really disrespectful and disappointing.’
Serbia’s ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, also expressed his ‘profound concern’ to Channel Nine.
In a statement, the ambassador said: ‘The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia considers Mr Jones’ comments [to be] totally inappropriate and disrespectful.
‘Never has an Australian athlete been insulted and disrespected in such a way by the media or any public official in Serbia.’
