Novak Djokovic’s decision to boycott his on-court interview at the Australian Open following a row with Channel 9 may ultimately be a blessing in disguise, according to former world No. 1 Jim Courier.
Courier, who was set to host the traditional post-match chat, believes that Djokovic’s dust-up with the broadcast network may fuel his fire and motivation as he continues his campaign for a 25th Grand Slam title.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion abruptly declined the interview following his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka, sparking controversy. However, Channel 9 has since issued an apology, which Djokovic had not received at the time of the incident.
Courier views on-court interviews as optional but non-partisan post-match rituals and sees this latest controversy as an opportunity for Djokovic to dig deeper into his fire and motivation. “One of Novak’s great qualities is he finds things to fire himself up and motivate him,” Courier said. “He certainly has that extra edge here at this tournament.”
While the incident may not be ideal for the tournament, Courier believes it could ultimately benefit Djokovic, who is highly motivated by various factors. In a statement, Courier emphasized his support for Tennis Australia and stated that he hopes players will focus on communicating directly with their fans rather than making points through media attention.
Source: https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/jim-courier-channel-9-row-may-be-net-positive-for-fired-up-novak-djokovic-at-australian-open