Tim Henman believes everybody should move on amid Novak Djokovic’s row with Channel Nine broadcaster Tony Jones at the Australian Open.
Jones recently caused outrage by mocking the Serb while live on air, with the presenter leading fans in a chant that suggested the tennis star was ‘past it’ and ‘overrated’, while also saying to ‘kick him out’.
He has since apologised for his actions after Djokovic staged a boycott. The tennis star is said to have ‘acknowledged’ the apology, though it’s unclear what will happen next.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner is currently focusing on Tuesday’s mouthwatering showdown with Carlos Alcaraz, in what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament so far.
Novak Djokovic recently became embroiled in a row with Channel Nine’s Tony Jones at the Australian Open
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Henman, speaking on Eurosport, has now provided his verdict on the controversy.
And the British tennis legend has suggested that everybody should now move on given Jones has apologised and fronted up.
Henman said: “This is always his prerogative.
“He has always stood up for his beliefs and we respect that.
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“There has always been a little bit of that, when you are looking for that confrontation, I think Novak plays better.
“He said his piece, the apology I think has been accepted, and now we can really focus on what is an exciting quarter-final against Alcaraz.
“It seems slightly bizarre for me to say Djokovic versus Alcaraz in the quarter-final because we have seen it in Grand Slam finals and Olympic finals, so I certainly know what I want to focus on and that’s the tennis because they are both playing great.”
Djokovic vs Alcaraz has the makings of a classic.
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The pair have already met three times in Grand Slams, with their first meeting taking place at the French Open in 2023.
Djokovic beat Alcaraz that year, only for his young rival to then get revenge by winning Wimbledon just months later.
Alcaraz also bested the Serb at Wimbledon in 2024, powering his way to a straight sets triumph.
Djokovic did, however, beat the 21-year-old in the final of the Paris Olympics back in the summer to win gold for the first time.
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Tim Henman believes everybody should move on amid Novak Djokovic’s row with Channel Nine broadcaster Tony Jones at the Australian Open
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Meanwhile, ESPN pundit Patrick McEnroe has backed Djokovic following the row with Jones.
He said: “All I have to say is good for Novak for speaking up, because that, to me, was just an idiotic statement, idiotic comment by Tony, and Novak has every right to be annoyed.
“I mean, he could be President of Serbia, they’ve talked about that possibility happening, and it just got even greater okay with the way he handled that.
“His pride for his people and his country, he’s literally an icon in his own country, as well he should be, so he had every right to make that stand and take the stand that he did.”
Novak Djokovic is currently preparing for his Australian Open quarter-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz
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Djokovic, if he beats Alcaraz, would be just two victories away from Grand Slam No 25.
That would be enough to move him ahead of Margaret Court in the history books.