The skilled 9 Community presenter Tony Jones crossed the road on Friday! He named probably the most profitable participant of all time overrated and steered he must be kicked out of Australia, referring to Novak’s 2022 Australian deportation saga, which nonetheless haunts him.
Jones’ phrases made Novak and his military of followers worldwide livid. Djokovic, who likes joke himself, didn’t get pleasure from Jones’ strategy! The Serb known as it disrespectful and skipped the on-court interview following his fourth-round conquer Jiri Lehecka.
The legend launched a video and shared the motive together with his followers. Novak demanded an apology and obtained it on Monday morning. In his phrases, Jones apologized to Djokovic and his staff 48 hours in the past, a day after his horrible phrases reached the air.
A public apology adopted on Monday, similar to the 24-time Main winner requested! Jones expressed remorse and clarified his poorly obtained remarks about Novak and his followers. The presenter claimed his feedback have been unintentionally offending, linking them to his typical strategy.
A couple of phrases about what occurred on courtroom. pic.twitter.com/jRof2npiwH
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 19, 2025
Issues must be cleared now, and we must always hear what Novak has to say if he beats Carlos Alcaraz within the Australian Open quarter-final at Rod Laver Area. The veteran took down Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in two hours and 39 minutes.
Djokovic outplayed his opponent within the opening two units and prevailed within the third to stay on the title course. The 37-year-old outplayed the younger gun on serve and return en path to his 61st Main quarter-final, the fifteenth in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
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Novak defended his second serve properly and performed flawless tennis behind the primary. He performed in opposition to three break level and skilled one break, mounting the stress on the opposite aspect. Lehecka claimed the title at the start of the season in Brisbane.
He reached the final 16 in Melbourne however couldn’t do a lot in opposition to the ten-time winner. The Czech sprayed too many errors and suffered three breaks from 11 possibilities supplied to world no. 7. Djokovic tamed his strokes properly and welcomed 40 unforced errors from the opposite aspect.Â
The younger gun fought effectively within the third set earlier than Novak claimed it within the tie break and organized a blockbuster conflict with Carlos on Tuesday.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
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“Honestly, I’m disappointed it came to this. My comments on Friday were intended as banter, just light-hearted humor, which is typical of my approach. On Saturday morning, Tennis Australia and Djokovic’s team informed me that his camp was upset.
I immediately reached out and apologized – this was 48 hours ago – for any disrespect Novak felt I caused. I have always had a good rapport with Serbian fans, and I thought this was just an extension of that playful banter.
Clearly, it was not interpreted that way, and I feel I have let them down,” Tony Jones stated.
