On Sunday, January 19, at the Rod Laver Arena, fans witnessed a rare and unexpected moment in tennis history. Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, after winning his fourth-round match at the Australian Open, declined the customary on-court interview, leaving the stadium in apparent distress. This incident unfolded amidst a tense atmosphere, with the Melbourne crowd booing him despite his victory. The situation has since drawn widespread attention and raised questions about its context.
Djokovic’s refusal to participate in the interview seems to stem from a growing controversy involving Australian broadcaster Tony Jones, who made derogatory remarks about the Serbian star. On Friday, after Djokovic’s third-round win against Tomas Machac, Jones’s comments surfaced online, causing a stir among fans. In a leaked clip, the broadcaster mocked Djokovic and his supporters, sarcastically calling him “overrated” and a “has-been.” These remarks angered many, including Djokovic’s fans and players like Nick Kyrgios, who defended the Serbian and criticized Jones on social media.
When Djokovic returned to face Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round, the tension escalated. After securing a straight-sets victory, Djokovic was offered the microphone by Jim Courier for the post-match interview. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion declined, addressing the crowd briefly to thank them for their support before exiting. This departure, paired with the crowd’s boos, sparked further debate about the relationship between Djokovic, the media, and the public.
Djokovic later clarified his decision during a press conference. He explained that his actions were a response to Channel 9’s failure to issue a public apology for Jones’s remarks, which he described as insulting to both him and Serbian fans. Djokovic emphasized that his decision was not directed at Jim Courier or the Australian public, but rather at the broadcaster. He stated, “A couple days ago, the famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel 9 here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me. Since then, he chose not to issue any public apology. Neither did Channel 9.”
This controversy comes against the backdrop of Djokovic’s fraught history in Melbourne, including his detention during the COVID-19 vaccination mandate in 2021. He also previously claimed to have been poisoned in the city. The incident has reignited debates about Djokovic’s relationship with the media and his portrayal in public narratives.
Despite the controversy, Djokovic remains focused on his next challenge: a quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday, January 21. The outcome of that match will undoubtedly draw even more attention to the Serbian star as he continues his campaign at the Australian Open.