Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologized to Novak Djokovic for comments he says were intended to be “banter” and “humor.”

The presenter at the center of Novak Djokovic’s decision to boycott on-court interviews at the Australian Open has apologized to the 24-time Grand Slam champion, saying that he “overstepped the mark.” Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones was overlooking a group of Serbian fans while recording a dispatch from Melbourne Park Friday night.

It was an ill-fated attempt at a joke which horribly backfired. When Tony Jones, the veteran sports broadcaster, made his rabble-rousing remarks about Novak Djokovic in front of a sea of Serbian fans at the Australian Open,

Channel 9 host Tony Jones has angered Novak Djokovic’s supporters by going rogue and sledging the Serbian superstar on a live broadcast.

Veteran broadcaster Tony Jones has attempted to put to bed the drama surrounding himself and Novak Djokovic after the 24-time grand slam champion refused to give an on-court interview following his win fourth-round win over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday night.

Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and fans of the Serbian for comments he made on TV on Friday night that the 10-times Australian Open champion considered "insulting and offensive".

Channel Nine host Tony Jones apologises for a comment — labelled "insulting and offensive" by Novak Djokovic — that prompted the 24-time major winner to boycott on-court interviews.

Marcos Baghdatis labeled Tony Jones' comments about Novak Djokovic as "disrespectful and racist" as the Cypriot tennis legend believes the host deserves to be banned from further covering the Australian Open.

Renowned tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg wrote on X: “Tony Jones has “apologised,” but it’s one of those hollow apologies where he apologises for how it made someone feel, not what he did, and he makes clear that he disagrees with the feelings. “I do apologise” shouldn’t become “I do apologise if”.

Novak Djokovic has received the apologies he wanted from the Australian Open’s local broadcaster and its employee who insulted him on the air.

Nick Kyrgios appeared to question how veteran broadcaster Tony Jones kept his job as part of Channel Nine's Australian Open coverage following his comments regarding Novak Djokovic.