Calls for life ban on Tony Jones over Djokovic coverage
The Serbian Davis Cup captain has called for the Tony Jones to be banned for life from tennis commentary over his “disrespectful and disappointing” comments about Djokovic during the Australian Open.
Viktor Troicki slammed the veteran Channel Nine reporter after Djokovic was forced to withdraw from Serbia’s tie against Denmark due to the injury he suffered in Melbourne, ending his campaign for an 11th title in the semi-final.
Troicki ranted that Australia has been treating Djokovic “worse and worse” after he was deported before the 2022 Open when his visa was cancelled on “health and safety” grounds.
“There was the situation around Channel 9, which I noticed as well. If I had hired that journalist (Tony Jones), I would have fired him straight away. He would never work in sports again,” Troicki said ahead of the tie.
“I think they are treating Novak worse and worse. It is surprising and disappointing to see the greatest player of all time experiencing so many bad things happening in Australia again. After Covid and what they did to him a few years ago, it has never been the same."
“To mock an athlete during the tournament is unacceptable. I don’t think an apology is enough. I think he should be banned for life from covering tennis.”
Following Djokovic's semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev, the Serbian tennis champ was booed by the audience, which Troicki believes is a sign of his deteriorating relationship will Aussie tennis fans.
“They were booing him after the injury, which I don’t think happens in any sport. Not even in football, where the crowd is normally more wild. When someone gets injured in football, even an opponent, they will applaud you and wish you to get better,” he said.
“That’s why it was surprising to see, especially in a place where he has played his best tennis and has won 10 titles, that he got booed after the injury. It was really disrespectful and disappointing.”
“They are booing him in the crowd, which was not happening before in Australia. I think they were admiring his results more and greeting the champion with more respect in the past.”
Serbia’s ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, also expressed his “profound concern” to Nine, writing in a statement, “The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia considers that Mr Jones’ comments are totally inappropriate and disrespectful”.
He went on to say: “There has never been in the history [sic] the case that [an] Australian athlete has been insulted and disrespected in such a way by the media or any public official in Serbia.”
The Serbian Council of Australia has also lodged an official complaint with the Human Rights Commission, demanding for Jones be stood down from all sports broadcasting duties at Channel Nine.
Image credits: Nine / Instagram