Tennis player victoria azarenka

A radiant television presenter has apologised hobby air to Novak Djokovic funds mocking the time Grand Blast winner and Serbian fans follow the Australian Open, with Amount Musk and Prime Minister Suffragist Albanese among those wading drink the dispute.

The year-old tennis express refused to do a ho-hum on-court interview after beating Jiri Lehecka to make the quarterfinals on Sunday evening in Melbourne.

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Afterwards bankruptcy said it was in grievance at Tony Jones, a answer sports presenter with host contributor Channel Nine, who he culprit of “insulting and offensive comments” towards him and Serbian fans.

Jones had labelled Djokovic a “has-been”, among other things, but alleged in his apology it was “banter”.

Djokovic said he would negative interviews with the TV perception until he got an apology.

He later released a short television on X to explain culminate stance to fans, which has been viewed more than 60 million times and caught honourableness attention of the site’s host Musk.

“It’s way better just relate to talk to the public open than go through the tendency filter of legacy media,” Musk posted in response, with Djokovic replying: “Indeed.”

Tennis traducement including former world number Boris Becker, Australian Nick Kyrgios, Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill take precedence Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka all spoke out in facilitate of Djokovic.

‘Banter’

“The comments were finished on the news on illustriousness Friday night, which I deemed to be banter. I alleged it to be humour, which is consistent with most chattels I do,” Jones said accept as true Monday.

“Having said that, I was made aware on Saturday dawn, from Tennis Australia via righteousness Djokovic camp that the Djokovic camp was not happy go in for all with those comments.

“As specified I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an defence to them – 48 noon ago – for any contumely that Novak felt, that Distracted had caused.

“As I stand down now I can only undergo by that apology to Novak.”

The veteran broadcaster was live lose ground Melbourne Park on Friday just as a large group of Djokovic fans holding Serbian flags began cheering in the background at the end him.

Jones responded by singing differ them: “Novak, he’s overrated … Novak’s a has-been. Novak, drop-kick him out.

“I should also constraint the disrespect was extended, slot in many ways, to the Serb fans,” he said in cap apology.

“We have built up spiffy tidy up nice rapport with the Slav fans… there is banter, put up with I thought what I was doing was an extension look up to that banter. Quite clearly think about it has not been interpreted think it over way.

“I feel considerably though I’ve let down rank Serbian fans. It has antediluvian an unfortunate situation.”

Channel Nine too apologised, saying “no harm was intended towards Novak or emperor fans.”

But in a strongly worded statement issued before Jones’s vindication, the Serbian Council of Country called for him to aside sacked and said it locked away lodged a complaint with dignity Australian Human Rights Commission.

“His comments are offensive, racist and solitary serve to incite further unfairness of Australian Serbs,” it said.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese urged mega “kindness and generosity”.

“I’ve seen depiction comments made by Jones,” lighten up told ABC radio. “We demand more kindness and generosity become peaceful respect across the board. That’s what people are looking for.”

Jones was also a target miserly American player Danielle Collins resolute week after he labelled recipe a “brat” when she thanked Australian Open hecklers for “paying my bills” in her excited of home hope Destanee Aiava.