The warfare between Tony Jones and Novak Djokovic seems to be over.
Djokovic demanded a public apology from Jones over “offensive comments” he made in regards to the former world No. 1 throughout a stay broadcast.
The Serbian’s boycott threatened to derail the Australian Open, however Jones publicly apologized on Monday to the 24-time Grand Slam champion who acknowledged the remarks and is ready on placing it behind him.
Jones’ apology included a sensational declare that he had already secretly apologized to members of Djokovic’s help staff behind the scenes in secret — greater than 24 hours earlier than Djokovic’s walk-off.
Jones taunted Serbian followers and sang throughout a broadcast: “Novak, he’s overrated. … Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out. Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me.”
However regardless of saying he stood by his apology for inflicting any disrespect to each Djokovic and Serbian followers, Jones’ phrases fell on deaf ears for tennis followers.
Many had been fast to blast the media veteran for delivering a “hollow” assertion that missed the mark.
Famend tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg wrote on X: “Tony Jones has ‘apologized,’ but it’s one of those hollow apologies where he apologizes for how it made someone feel, not what he did, and he makes clear that he disagrees with the feelings. ‘I do apologize’ shouldn’t become ‘I do apologize if.’”
Tennis blogger Pavvy G wrote: “Right here is Tony Jones apology, as a substitute of all the justifications and attempting to deflect the eye away from HIS mistake, he ought to have simply mentioned a few sentences, I’m actually sorry to Djokovic and his followers and want him one of the best.
“This is what you call a word salad! What I don’t understand is he said he apologized to the Djokovic camp 48 hours ago, so why didn’t he do so publicly? He was interviewed by @ozmo_sasa on Saturday and refused to apologize saying it was just ‘banter.’ So his story doesn’t add up.”
One other irate fan wrote: “Tony Jones’ apology to Novak Djokovic is the most male apology of all time. ‘Sorry if what I said hurt YOUR feelings.’”
Because the anger piled in on social media in Jones’ route, fellow Channel 9 workers had been coming to his protection declaring his feedback had been merely a case of a humorousness misplaced in translation.
Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo — hosts of “Today” in Australia — made gentle of the state of affairs, whereas visitor panelist Senator Jacke Lambie jokingly urged Jones to double down on his feedback.
The consensus from 9’s media steady appeared to be that Djokovic didn’t perceive Jones’ tongue-in-cheek fashion.
Regardless of their greatest efforts, Jones was on the new seat with not solely followers, however fellow gamers calling out the veteran broadcaster.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka led the help of Djokovic.
“The audacity to call Novak Djokovic overrated by a reporter is just insane,” she tweeted. “The guy literally completed tennis by winning everything you can in our sport!”
Piers Morgan was additionally on the Serb’s aspect. “Djokovic is right. That Channel 9 guy was an absolute tool.”
Elon Musk even entered the talk when responding to Djokovic’s video publish on X.
“It’s way better just to talk to the public directly than go through the negativity filter of legacy media,” Musk replied to the video.
“Indeed,” Djokovic wrote again.
The scandal has nevertheless drawn to a conclusion with Djokovic accepting Jones’ apology and now turning his full consideration to his Tuesday evening conflict in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz.
