Australian sports presenter Tony Jones has publicly apologized to tennis star Novak Djokovic after his on-air comments sparked controversy during the Australian Open. Jones, a veteran broadcaster with Channel 9, initially described his remarks as “banter” and “humor,” but Djokovic and his fans didn’t see it that way. During a live broadcast last Friday, Jones taunted a group of Djokovic supporters, chanting, “Novak, he’s overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak, kick him out.” He later added, “Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me.” The comments didn’t sit well with Djokovic, who skipped his post-match interview after winning his fourth-round match against Jiří Lehečka. In a video shared on social media, Djokovic explained his decision, saying, “A few days ago, a famous sports journalist here from Australia… decided to mock Serbian fans and made insulting and offensive comments towards me. I was hoping he would apologize publicly, which he hasn’t done yet.” On Monday, Jones addressed the backlash during an appearance on Channel 9’s *Today* program. He admitted that his comments had “overstepped the mark” and expressed regret for any disrespect caused. “I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them… for any disrespect that Novak felt I had caused,” Jones said. He also acknowledged letting down Serbian fans, adding, “I genuinely feel for those fans.” The Nine Network also issued a statement, apologizing for “any offense caused” and emphasizing that no harm was intended. Djokovic has since accepted the apology and is focusing on his upcoming match against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. The incident has drawn attention from high places, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for more respect and kindness in public discourse. Meanwhile, Djokovic remains focused on his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. ---