Novak Djokovic got the mea culpas he wanted from the Australian Open's local broadcaster and its employee who insulted him on the air and so, according to tournament organizers, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is ready to concentrate on his quarterfinal showdown with Carlos Alcaraz. (More Tennis News)
바카라Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested," read a statement issued Monday by Tennis Australia, "and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.바카라
That, perhaps, will draw a curtain on the bizarre off-court distraction as Djokovic pursues what would be an 11th championship at Melbourne Park and a record 25th major trophy overall.
After winning at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday evening to set up the contest against No. 3 Alcaraz, Djokovic declined to do the customary post-match on court TV interview, but didn't immediately say why, eliciting some jeering from spectators. Only later that night, at his news conference, did Djokovic explain that he was taking a stand to protest comments made by Tony Jones on Channel 9 on Friday.
Djokovic, a 37-year-old from Serbia, did not name Jones, but said a 바카라famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel 9 ... made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments toward me.바카라
Jones called Djokovic overrated and a has-been and made what seemed to be a reference to when the player was deported from Australia in 2022 because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Djokovic added that he would continue to avoid speaking to the network without an apology from it and Jones.
Those finally arrived on Monday.
Nine Network said in a statement it apologized 바카라for any offense caused from comments made" while live on air.
바카라No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans,바카라 the statement continued. 바카라We look forward to further showcasing his Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.바카라
During an appearance on a TV show Monday, Jones said he intended his words as 바카라banter바카라 and apologized to Djokovic 바카라if he felt that I disrespected him.바카라
바카라I considered it to be humor, which is consistent with most things I do,바카라 Jones said. 바카라Having said that, I was made aware ... that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments. I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak.바카라
Jones also offered words to Serbians.
바카라I do feel as though I've let down the Serbian fans,바카라 he said. 바카라I'm not just saying this to try and wriggle out of trouble or anything. I genuinely feel for those fans.바카라
Serbia's ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, even got involved Monday, telling the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper that Jones' comments were 바카라clearly unprofessional,바카라 including a 바카라most concerning바카라 reference to what happened three years ago when Djokovic was kicked out of the country ahead of the tournament amid the pandemic.
Before Jones and his employer offered their apologies, Djokovic posted a message on social media reiterating why he declined to speak. That drew a reply from billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who said, 바카라It's way better just to talk to the public directly than go through the negativity filter of legacy media.바카라
Djokovic replied to Musk's tweet with 바카라Indeed바카라 and a raised-hands emoji. (
