AO Host Should Be Disciplined for Ridiculing Djokovic

Vegas Tennis Team
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AO Host Should Be Disciplined for Ridiculing Djokovic

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow  | Thursday, January 30, 2025
Photo credit: ATP Cup Facebook

Deeply troubled by how Novak Djokovic was treated at the recent Australian Open, Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki has called for the firing of Channel 9 host who belittled Djokovic, asserting that he should be banned from tennis reporting altogether.

Troicki, who has been a close friend and teammate of Djokovic, voiced his disappointment at the deteriorating treatment Djokovic has faced in Australia since his deportation in 2022 over vaccination status.

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Following his fourth-round victory at the AO, Djokovic chose to skip the on-court interview in protest against Channel 9 host Tony Jones, who had insulted the Serbian fans and labeled Djokovic as a “failure” and “overrated.”


During Djokovic’s match, as Serbian fans celebrated with chants of “Nole! Nole!” and waved their flags, Jones mocked them in a singsong tone, dismissing Djokovic with remarks like “Novak, he’s overrated….Novak, he’s a has-been.”

Troicki strongly believes that such mockery deserves serious repercussions.

“Regarding the Channel 9 incident, which I also took note of,” Captain Troicki remarked ahead of Serbia’s Davis Cup qualifying clash against Denmark. “If I had that journalist (Tony Jones) on my team, I would have terminated his contract immediately. He should never work in sports again.”

Following the incident, Jones offered an apology to Djokovic, who then participated in a post-match interview after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

Despite the apology, Troicki insists that the harm done cannot be undone and calls for a lifetime ban for Jones from tennis.

“What they are putting Novak through is increasingly intolerable. It’s tragic and disheartening to see the greatest player in history enduring such negativity in Australia once again.

“After the turmoil brought on by Covid and his treatment a few years back, things haven’t changed for the better.

“To deride an athlete in the midst of a tournament is outrageous. An apology doesn’t suffice; I believe he should face a lifetime ban from tennis coverage.”



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