{"id":11091,"date":"2025-01-19T14:36:50","date_gmt":"2025-01-19T14:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbmediaonline.com\/?p=11091"},"modified":"2025-01-19T14:36:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-19T14:36:51","slug":"tennis-star-djokovic-boycotts-on-court-interviews-following-broadcast-mishap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbmediaonline.com\/?p=11091","title":{"rendered":"Tennis Star Djokovic Boycotts On-Court Interviews Following Broadcast Mishap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Novak Djokovic (37) said Sunday he would not do any more on-court interviews at the Australian Open after accusing a leading anchor at the host broadcaster of making “insulting comments” about him and Serbian people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 10-time Melbourne champion refused to do a regular post-match chat after beating Jiri Lehecka in three sets<\/a> on Rod Laver Arena to make the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, he took the microphone from interviewer Jim Courier, made a quick statement thanking the crowd and walked off to a smattering of boos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Djokovic<\/a> explained the decision in a post-match press conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Couple days ago the famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel Nine here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,”<\/strong> he said, not naming him but appearing to reference Tony Jones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“And since then, he chose not to issue any public apology. Neither did Channel Nine. So since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public,”<\/strong> Djokovic added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It was a very awkward situation for me to face on the court today.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked if it would be an ongoing stance until he got an apology, he replied: “Yes, exactly.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n