Nick Kyrgios stands with Novak Djokovic in Australian Open broadcast row

Tennis great Djokovic has become embroiled in some off-court drama after an Australian broadcaster made "insulting and offensive" comments about him and Serbian tennis fans during the season-opening Grand Slam.

The 10-time Australian Open champion refused to do an on-court interview with Jim Courier following his win over Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Arena and later it emerged he was upset with Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones.

The host broadcaster's presenter mocked Djokovic during a show on Friday as he called him "overrated", a "has been", and suggested the 24-time Grand Slam winner be "kicked out" while he also took aim at the Serbian fans who were cheering on their hero.

The remarks did not go down well with Djokovic as he explained the reason for boycotting the interview, stating: "A couple days ago the famous sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster, Channel Nine here in Australia, made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me.

"And since then, he chose not to issue any public apology. Neither did Channel Nine. Since they're official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine."

Jones later issued an apology both to Djokovic and the Serbian fans "for any disrespect" his comments might have caused as he revealed said his remarks were "banter".

"The comments were made on the news on the Friday night, which I considered to be banter. I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do," he said.

"Having said that, I was made aware on Saturday morning, from Tennis Australia via the Djokovic camp, that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments. As such I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them - 48 hours ago - for any disrespect that Novak felt, that I had caused.

"As I stand here now I can only stand by that apology to Novak.

"I should also say the disrespect was extended, in many ways, to the Serbian fans. We have built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans⦠there is banter, and I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that has not been interpreted that way.

"I feel as though I've let down the Serbian fans."

Kyrgios - who has become good friends with Djokovic and they recently played doubles together at the  Brisbane International - decided to have his say on the topic as he first responded on X, posting: "Why is it always the most unathletic people calling out the best athletes in the world "

He later went all out on a Facebook Story as he slammed Jones.

"How the f*** does this guy still have a f*****g job?" he said in the video.

"This is putrid stuff. Tony Jones you absolute flop, f*****g. Chompers mate."

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