Novak Djokovic says he will not conduct on-court interviews at the Australian Open until he receives an apology for “disrespect” from an Australian television presenter. Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones was conducting a sport segment from Melbourne Park in front of Serbian fans on Friday,

Djokovic demanded a public apology from Tony Jones over “offensive comments” he made about the former world No. 1 during a live broadcast.

Jones had labelled Djokovic a “has-been” and said “kick him out” in apparent reference to his 2022 deportation. Jones said in his apology it was “banter”.

Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and fans of the Serbian for comments he made on TV on Friday night that the 10-times Australian Open champion considered "insulting and offensive".

It was an ill-fated attempt at a joke which horribly backfired. When Tony Jones, the veteran sports broadcaster, made his rabble-rousing remarks about Novak Djokovic in front of a sea of Serbian fans at the Australian Open,

Channel Nine host Tony Jones apologises for a comment — labelled "insulting and offensive" by Novak Djokovic — that prompted the 24-time major winner to boycott on-court interviews.

Djokovic has been known to pick a battle with fans in the crowd because it spurs him to play better, and he often thrives off being public enemy No.1. The 10-time Australian Open champion will meet Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals in Melbourne, but will head into the match as a heavy underdog.

One storyline has dominated the Australian Open for the last two days and Carlos Alcaraz could be the man to pay the biggest price.

Afterwards he said it was in protest at Tony Jones, a top sports presenter with host broadcaster Channel 9, who he accused of "insulting and offensive comments" towards him and Serbian fans. Djokovic said he would boycott interviews with the TV station until he got an apology.

Nick Kyrgios brutally called out Channel 9's Tony Jones over his comments on Novak Djokovic by publicly asking "why it is always unathletic people" having a go at the very best athletes.