Elon Musk has joined the chorus of anger directed at Tony Jones after the Channel Nine star's 'disgraceful' chant aimed at Serbian tennis fans led Novak Djokovic to boycott his post-match interview at the Australian Open on Sunday night.
The drama began on Friday night when Jones, who is a major part of the host broadcaster's Grand Slam coverage, stood in front of a group of Serbian fans chanting on live television and trilled 24 times. Grand Slam champion.
“Welcome back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans, they are in full voice,” Jones said. “The chants are quite extraordinary.”
Then he turned to face them and performed some of his own sleigh chants: “Novak, he's overrated,” Jones sang. 'Novak is a past. Novak, kick him out.
'Wow, I'm glad they can't hear me. Anyway, let's move on to tennis.
That led Djokovic to boycott his on-court interview with Nine after defeating Jiri Lehecka, and the ten-time Australian Open champion explained that he will not do interviews with Nine until he receives a public apology after being booed by sections of the crew.
Novak Djokovic is pictured refusing to be interviewed after his victory Sunday night at the Australian Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was reacting to taunts from Channel Nine star Tony Jones, who is pictured offering a public apology on Monday morning.
Jones' outburst has seen him beaten from pillar to post by some of the biggest names in tennis and attract the support of the world's richest man, Elon Musk.
The Tesla and “. legacy media filter.'
Djokovic responded by writing “Indeed” accompanied by the raised hands emoji.
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka was one of several tennis greats to hit Jones.
“The audacity to call Novak Djokovic overrated by a journalist is simply crazy,” he wrote on X.
'The boy literally completed tennis by winning everything you can in our sport!'
She was joined by six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker, who wrote on rest of the tournament?”
Former Australian star Darren Cahill, who now coaches world number one Jannik Sinner, also backed Djokovic's boycott.
“He (Jones) presents the Footy Show, which is a pretty fun, laugh-out-loud, detailed football show for Australian football, which is very popular,” he explained to ESPN's American audience.
'He's been in the industry for years and years. I'm sure Tony was trying to be funny, but it was inappropriate and I don't blame Novak for taking offense to it.
Djokovic has received endorsements from some of the biggest names in tennis since the scandal broke, as well as the world's richest man Elon Musk (pictured).
Tennis legend Boris Becker did not hold back in his criticism of Jones (pictured), questioning whether the Nine star should continue working at the tournament.
Becker was joined by former world number one Victoria Azarenka in criticizing Jones.
Former world number 4, American James Blake, was also firmly on Djokovic's side.
“I'm glad he opened his press conference with that (his explanation of the boycott) to shed light on it,” Blake told ESPN.
“He's principled and he's done it very often in his career and it makes absolutely sense for him to do it.”
'We have seen the images and they are absolutely inappropriate. And we are waiting for an apology. It's deserved.”
Outspoken British commentator Piers Morgan was damning in his response, writing: 'Djokovic is right. That guy from Channel 9 was an absolute tool.
Jones apologized for his outburst in a statement to a Serbian publication. sports club – but since it was not a public statement, nor one made directly to Djokovic, the Serb's boycott remained in force.
The Nine star then issued a public apology on Nine on Monday morning, in which he stated that he “immediately” contacted Djokovic's team and apologized on Saturday morning, as soon as he learned that the Serbian star I was offended.
Djokovic criticized Jones and Nine for not apologizing in his post-match statements on social media and to reporters at his press conference after beating Lehecka.
He began his post-match press conference with a prepared statement: 'Good evening. I would just like to clarify the reason why the interview did not take place on the field, the post-match interview, as if it were a common and customary practice.
'A couple of days ago, the famous sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster Channel Nine here in Australia, mocked the Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me.
Jones appears relaxed shortly after publicly apologizing on Monday.
'And since then, he chose not to issue any public apology. Neither does Channel Nine. So, as they are official broadcasters, I decided not to do interviews for Channel Nine.
'I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public. It was a very uncomfortable situation for me to face today on the court. It's unfortunate. I chose to say something to the crowd, but it obviously wasn't the time, space or situation to explain what I'm doing now.
—I'll let Channel Nine handle this as they see fit. That's all.'
When asked if this stance would continue until he receives an apology, Djokovic replied: “Yes, exactly.”
Djokovic also spoke to Australian Open director Craig Tiley about the scandal and the possibility of him receiving a hefty fine for refusing to be interviewed on court.
“I have a really nice relationship with Craig, I think he's a phenomenal guy who always tries to help players and understand their needs or demands, so I just wanted to make sure he knows where I stand and the reasons behind it. “Djokovic said.
“So I told him, 'If you want to fine me for not doing an on-court interview, that's fine, I'll take it because I feel like it's something that needs to be done.' That's all there is to do.'