Australian Open: Channel 9 broadcaster Tony Jones apologises to Novak Djokovic for comments
Ten-time Melbourne Park champion Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Channel Nine also apologized, saying it had “no intention of harming Novak or his fans.”
The Australian Serbian Council called for Jones to be sacked, saying his comments were “offensive, racist and will only incite further discrimination against Serbian Australians”.
Jones said he particularly felt he “crossed the line” with his comments about “kick him out” – which he admitted could be interpreted as a reference to Djokovic being deported in 2022 due to Australia’s Covid-19 regulations.
“It pissed off Novak — I totally understand that,” Jones said.
“It’s an unfortunate situation and an anxiety for Novak and me personally. The priority now is to focus on tennis. He had a great game and I hope he can focus on that.
“I can only tell Novak again what I told him 48 hours ago, and I will apologize if he feels I have disrespected him.
“I agreed to meet him in person and they came back and yes, that hasn’t happened yet but I hope it will happen within the next 24 hours.”
Tennis Australia said: “Novak acknowledges that he has made a public apology as required and is now continuing to focus on his next match.”
