Channel Nine created the group of Novak Djokovic fans who served as the backdrop and inspiration for Tony Jones' outburst at the Australian Open, according to explosive claims from angry Serbian fans living in Australia and a tennis great.
The veteran reporter was flogged by 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic this week following comments he made from a live center at Melbourne Park last Friday.
Speaking in front of a crowd of singing and shouting Serbian fans, Jones took the opportunity to mock the ten-time Australian Open winner.
'Novak, he is overrated… Novak is a past. Novak, throw him out,' Jones sang, while the Serbian fans remained oblivious to his words until after the live center.
That led Djokovic to launch a media boycott of the host broadcaster until a public apology was issued, which Jones did on Monday.
Now both Australian tennis great Paul McNamee and Serbian Council of Australia co-founder Dr Nina Markovic Khaze have claimed the mob was orchestrated by Channel Nine.
Novak Djokovic refused to speak to Australian Open host Channel Nine until Tony Jones apologized for comments made during a live crossover with Serbian fans.
Jones mocked Djokovic and his supporters during the match last Friday night and later apologized on live television.
Serbian supporters claim they created the network after being asked to participate in the cross.
'Context is important. On Friday, Djokovic fans, many of them waving Serbian flags, reveled in Garden Square at the Australian Open,” McNamee wrote in The age.
'According to some at that meeting, they were asked to start singing for their man for filming purposes.
“They duly complied, not knowing that in the segment Jones, in an attempt to be funny, would begin his own chant: “Novak, he's overrated, Novak is a former, Novak, throw him out.” I'm glad they can.” You can't hear me.”
'The last part was clearly the most offensive, given the story. It was a joke by a senior presenter at the host station that went wrong, clearly offensive to (not just) Djokovic fans.
“It opened a deep personal wound with the tournament's biggest male champion.”
The Serbian Council wants Tony Jones fired over Djokovic's comments and has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
Council co-founder and board member Dr. Markovic Khaze spoke about radioabc and also claimed that Nine had set up Djokovic fans.
“This was absolutely traumatic for many of our community members in Australia – they actually reached out to us,” he said.
Former Australian tennis star Paul McNamee believes Serbian fans were also misled by Channel Nine
Dr Markovic Khaze of the Serbian Council of Australia wants Jones fired and a broader apology made to the Serbian-Australian community.
'I'm going to quote one of the members who approached us. She said: “This is so bad it feels like we are going back to the Covid era. Channel Nine is the official partner of the Australian Open and it is very disappointing.”
“He said he was at the Rod Laver Arena when a cameraman encouraged all the fans to sing, and then all the comments came in.
'She said it was very unprofessional and unacceptable as a fan to witness that and be there.
“Some of the fans who were there at the time almost felt like they had been set up.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.
Asked why the comments amounted to defamation, Dr Markovic Khaze said media attention on Djokovic's deportation in 2022 led to discrimination against the Australian-Serb community.
“To the point that in some schools children were singled out,” he said.
'Saying they come from a bad flock. Because the teachers of the time said that Novak Djokovic comes from a bad flock.'
Djokovic admitted he still feels the trauma of returning to Australia ahead of this year's Grand Slam.
Jones acknowledged in his apology that his comments may have inflamed those feelings.
“If I could go back in time… the one thing I went overboard on, and this is certainly what really pissed off Novak Djokovic and his team, is the last comment I made in that exchange with the crowd, 'Throw him out.' ' said Jones.
'I can stay here and put whatever spin I want on that, but it can only be interpreted as a throwback to the Covid years when he was kicked out. That made Novak angry, something I understand perfectly now.”
While Jones apologized to Djokovic, Dr Markovic said the Serbian Council wanted a broader apology delivered to the broader Serbian-Australian community.
“This is a global problem, it is not about a commentator saying whatever he wants,” he said.
'This is a global media star who is deeply offended.
“Channel Nine can do better, we as a society must do better.”