By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Thursday, January 30, 2025
Photograph credit score: ATP Cup Fb
Disgusted by the therapy Novak Djokovic acquired on the Australian Open, Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki mentioned the Channel 9 host who mocked Djokovic needs to be fired and banned from protecting tennis.
Troicki, Djokovic’s long-time pal and former Davis Cup teammate, mentioned the therapy the previous No. 1 receives Down Beneath has gotten “worse and worse” since he was deported from Australia again in 2022 as he was unvaccinated.
Extra: Sinner and Cahill to Half After 2025
Djokovic mentioned he blew off the on-court interview after his AO fourth-round win in protest of Channel 9 host Tony Jones mocking Serbian followers and insulting Djokovic himself as a “failure” and “overrated.”
Novak Djokovic defined in his press convention that he didn’t wish to discuss to host broadcaster Channel 9, most likely due to what occurred right here two days in the past. pic.twitter.com/YxZFu7MX9R
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 19, 2025
Jones’ feedback had been televised by host broadcaster Channel 9 whereas Serbian followers celebrated a Djokovic victory chanting “Nole! Nole!” whereas waving Serbian flags. Jones, apparently irritated by the chanting Serbian followers, mocked the group in a sing-song voice mimicking Serbian followers however saying “Novak, he is overrated….Novak, he is a has-been.”
Troicki says the mockery is a fireplace ready offense in his view.
“There was the state of affairs round Channel 9, which I observed as effectively,” Captain Troicki instructed BolaVip forward of Sebria’s Davis Cup Qualifying tie vs. Denmark in Copenhagen. “If I had employed that journalist (Tony Jones), I’d have fired him right away. He would by no means work in sports activities once more.”
Jones did apologize to Djokovic, who in flip carried out a post-match interview following his quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz.
Troicki says the harm has been carried out and asserts Jones needs to be banned from tennis.
“I believe they’re treating Novak worse and worse. It’s stunning and disappointing to see the best participant of all time experiencing so many dangerous issues taking place in Australia once more.
“After Covid and what they did to him just a few years in the past, it has by no means been the identical.
“To mock an athlete in the course of the match is unacceptable. I don’t suppose an apology is sufficient. I believe he needs to be banned for all times from protecting tennis.”