Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki has demanded Channel Nine commentator Tony Jones be banned from covering tennis for life following controversial comments about Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
Troicki told sports website Bolavip: “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.”
The former tennis star added that if he had been Jones’ employer, “I would have fired him straight away. He would never work again.”
Jones had labelled the 10-time Melbourne Park champion as ‘overrated’ and a ‘has been’ during a live television broadcast.
Novak Djokovic recently made the semi-finals of the Australian Open
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The comments prompted Djokovic to boycott courtside interviews with Channel Nine until receiving a public apology from Jones.
Jones later dismissed his remarks as mere ‘banter’.
Djokovic responded by saying Jones “made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me”.
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Novak Djokovic received an apology from Tony Jones and Channel Nine following the recent Australian Open controversy
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The controversy emerged before Djokovic was forced to withdraw from Serbia’s Davis Cup tie against Denmark due to a thigh injury.
Serbia’s ambassador to Australia, Rade Stefanovic, has issued a formal response to Channel Nine expressing “profound concern” over Jones’ remarks.
In an official statement, the ambassador said: “The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia considers Mr Jones’ comments [to be] totally inappropriate and disrespectful.”
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The statement added: “Never has an Australian athlete been insulted and disrespected in such a way by the media or any public official in Serbia.”
Troicki also criticised the Australian Open crowd’s treatment of Djokovic, particularly their reaction to his injury.
The 37-year-old was booed last Friday after being forced to pull out of his semi-final showdown with Alexander Zverev.
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“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,” he told fumed.
The Davis Cup captain called the crowd’s behaviour “really disrespectful and disappointing”, especially given Djokovic’s record of 10 titles at Melbourne Park.
Troicki further expressed concern about Djokovic’s overall treatment in Australia, citing ongoing issues since the 2022 Covid controversy.
Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki are team-mates for Serbia
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“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,” he said.
The Serbian captain referenced the 2022 incident when Djokovic was deported for being unvaccinated, noting that “after COVID and what they did to him a few years ago, it has never been the same.”