Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has announced he will no longer participate in on-court interviews at the Australian Open 2025, following remarks he deemed offensive and disrespectful towards himself and Serbian fans.
Djokovic’s Post-Match Protest
After securing a straight-sets victory over Jiri Lehecka to advance to the quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic refused the traditional post-match interview. Instead, he took the microphone himself, briefly thanked the crowd and swiftly exited the court—drawing a mixed reaction from the audience, including boos.
What Sparked Djokovic’s Stance?
During his post-match press conference, Djokovic elaborated on his decision, pointing fingers at a “famous sports journalist” from Channel Nine, the official broadcaster of the tournament.
“A couple of days ago, a well-known sports journalist from Channel Nine made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” Djokovic stated, without directly naming the individual. However, many believe he was referring to veteran broadcaster Tony Jones.
He further emphasized that neither Channel Nine nor the journalist in question had issued an apology, which prompted his boycott of the network’s interviews.
“Since they are the official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine.”
Clarifying His Position
Djokovic was quick to stress that his decision was not a snub against Jim Courier or the Australian public.
“I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian people. It was just a very awkward situation for me to face today.”
When asked if his boycott would continue until an apology was issued, he firmly responded:
“Yes, exactly.”
Serbian Fans Outraged by Channel Nine’s Comments
Reports indicate that Djokovic’s supporters were particularly angered by Jones’ on-air comments on Friday night, which they saw as disrespectful towards both Djokovic and the Serbian community.
Willing to Accept the Consequences
Djokovic revealed that he had spoken with Australian Open tournament chief Craig Tiley regarding his stance and was fully prepared to accept any fines imposed for his refusal to do on-court interviews.
“That’s okay, I’ll accept that because I feel like this is something that needs to be done. That’s all there is to it.”
What’s Next for Djokovic?
Despite the controversy, Djokovic remains laser-focused on his quest for an 11th Australian Open title. His quarterfinal opponent and match schedule will be announced in the coming days.
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