Novak Djokovic made boycott decision before Carlos – Sports News
Novak Djokovic was issued an apology following a contentious incident previous to his earlier match in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz.
The pair had beforehand squared off within the Australian Open quarter-finals, however the build-up to the sport was marred by Djokovic’s dispute with Channel Nine over feedback made by host Tony Jones, who was later faraway from the community’s Wimbledon protection.
As Djokovic prepares for an additional showdown with Alcaraz within the US Open semi-finals on Friday, he’ll be aiming to keep away from related off-court distractions.
Back in January, whereas broadcasting reside amidst a crowd of Djokovic followers, Jones joked: “Novak, he’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out. Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me. Anyway, let’s get on to the tennis.”
Djokovic took offense to Jones’ remarks and subsequently boycotted Channel Nine. Following his fourth-round conquer Jiri Lehecka, Djokovic refused a post-match interview because of Channel Nine’s participation within the match. “Since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine,” Djokovic acknowledged.
However, each Jones and Channel Nine provided public apologies forward of Djokovic’s quarter-final face-off with Alcaraz.
“I’m disappointed it come to this because the comments were made on the news on the Friday night which I considered to be banter and humor – which is consistent with what I do,” Jones stated, as reported by BBC Sport. “However, I was made aware on the Saturday morning from Tennis Australia, via the Djokovic camp, that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments.
“I instantly contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them – 48 hours in the past – for any disrespect which Novak felt I had brought on. As I stand right here now I stand by that apology to Novak if he feels any disrespect, which he clearly does.
“The disrespect extends to the Serbian fans – over the years here there has been color with them and passion and banter, and I thought that was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that hasn’t been interpreted that way. I do feel I’ve let down the Serbian fans. I’m not just saying that to wriggle out of trouble. I genuinely feel for those fans.”
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Channel Nine launched a separate assertion concerning the controversy: “Nine would like to apologize to Novak Djokovic for any offense caused from comments made during a recent live cross. No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans.”
Following the Australian Open, Jones was faraway from Channel Nine’s Wimbledon broadcast staff earlier this 12 months. Despite the off-court drama in Melbourne, Djokovic stored his cool in opposition to Alcaraz, securing a four-set victory and he is aiming for a related outcome on the US Open.
Djokovic has misplaced to Alcaraz in two Wimbledon finals however maintains a 5-3 lead of their head-to-head report, together with victories of their final two conferences. The 38 12 months previous is chasing his twenty fifth grand slam title, having most just lately received on the 2023 US Open.
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