Novak Djokovic received a public apology from Australian TV presenter Tony Jones after the presenter made derogatory comments about Serbian fans during an on-air segment on Friday night. The comments were widely criticized, with some labeling them as racist and others accusing Jones of crossing a line in his attempt at humor.
Jones apologized to Djokovic and his team for his actions on Saturday morning, stating that he had “banter” but acknowledged that the comments were not well-received by Serbian fans. He also expressed regret over the final remark, which many interpreted as a reference to Djokovic’s past vaccination status controversy.
The apology seemed to have the desired effect, with Tennis Australia confirming that Djokovic has accepted it and is now moving on to his next match. Meanwhile, Channel 9 released a statement apologizing for any offense caused by Jones’ comments.
Elon Musk reposted Djokovic’s video message, calling out legacy media for its negativity filter, while Piers Morgan described the TV presenter as an “absolute tool” in support of Djokovic. Other players and former players also came out to defend Djokovic, with some accusing Jones of having a job for being “disturbing behavior.”
A representative from the Serbian Council of Australia submitted a formal complaint to the Human Rights Commission, citing concerns that the comments could encourage vilification of Australian-Serbian fans. The incident highlights the importance of respect and kindness in broadcasting, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like vaccination status.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-enters-novak-djokovic-083643744.html