Australian UFC star Alexander Volkanovski reacts to awkward Novak Djokovic moment as fighter demands apology
Alexander Volkanovski has supported Novak Djokovic over the tennis star’s post-match interview snub down under. Djokovic, 37, overcame Jiri Lehecka in the Australian Open on Sunday to book a mouthwatering quarter-final clash with reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, but refused to talk about it afterwards. Volkanovski believes Djokovic should get an apologyGetty This followed comments made by Channel 9 journalist Tony Jones, who mocked Djokovic and his Serbian fans during a live broadcast. “Back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans there in full voice,” Jones said, amid fans cheering at Melbourne Park. “The chants are quite extraordinary. Novak, he’s overrated! Novak’s a has-been! Novak, kick him out! Boy I’m glad they can’t hear me.” The incident promoted outrage on social media and among sports figures, including UFC fighter Volkanovski and Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios took to X and said: “Why is it always the most un-athletic people calling out the best athletes in the world.” Djokovic has since explained the incident, revealing Jones’ comments were the ‘only reason’ why he refused his post-match interview. “A few days ago, a famous sports journalist here from Australia, who works for a main broadcaster Channel 9 in Australia, decided to mock Serbian fans. “He made insulting and offensive comments towards me. So I was hoping he was going to apologise in public, which he hasn’t done yet, and neither has Channel 9. So that is the only reason why I did not do the interview. “Of course, it was not a great feeling for me and it was quite awkward on the court. “Jim Courier [journalist] was the one who came out, I have tremendous respect for him and I always love speaking to Jim. Djokovic handed back the microphone in an instant at the Australian OpenEurosport “I know that a lot of people wanted to hear me speak, so I apologise to everyone who was in the stadium and didn’t hear me speak, and on the TV as well. “But that’s the main reason and I have to stand by my decision and hold this stance until something is done. “So I leave it to Channel 9 and hopefully that situation changes for the next match.” Volkanovski, 36, supported the tennis legend, writing on X: “He’s right and he should get an apology.” Volkanovski is viewed as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He won the UFC featherweight title in 2019 against fellow veteran Max Holloway, and defended it a whopping five times in the four years that followed. Djokovic said he hopes the situation can change for his match with AlcarazAFP ‘The Great’ eventually dropped the belt to current UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in his last bout in February, after moving up a division to challenge for lightweight gold against Islam Makhachev. Djokovic has a difficult relationship with Australia following his deportation from the country in 2022 for failing to comply with their Covid-19 regulations. Yet the majority of the general public were on his side for this incident. Channel 9 journalist Jones has since apologised and added that he hopes Djokovic’s focus can remain on the tennis, and apologised if the Serbian felt he was disrespected. Djokovic meets Alcaraz on Tuesday morning for a place in the last four.
Alexander Volkanovski has supported Novak Djokovic over the tennis star’s post-match interview snub down under.
Djokovic, 37, overcame Jiri Lehecka in the Australian Open on Sunday to book a mouthwatering quarter-final clash with reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, but refused to talk about it afterwards.
This followed comments made by Channel 9 journalist Tony Jones, who mocked Djokovic and his Serbian fans during a live broadcast.
“Back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans there in full voice,” Jones said, amid fans cheering at Melbourne Park.
“The chants are quite extraordinary. Novak, he’s overrated! Novak’s a has-been! Novak, kick him out! Boy I’m glad they can’t hear me.”
The incident promoted outrage on social media and among sports figures, including UFC fighter Volkanovski and Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios.
Kyrgios took to X and said: “Why is it always the most un-athletic people calling out the best athletes in the world.”
Djokovic has since explained the incident, revealing Jones’ comments were the ‘only reason’ why he refused his post-match interview.
“A few days ago, a famous sports journalist here from Australia, who works for a main broadcaster Channel 9 in Australia, decided to mock Serbian fans.
“He made insulting and offensive comments towards me. So I was hoping he was going to apologise in public, which he hasn’t done yet, and neither has Channel 9. So that is the only reason why I did not do the interview.
“Of course, it was not a great feeling for me and it was quite awkward on the court.
“Jim Courier [journalist] was the one who came out, I have tremendous respect for him and I always love speaking to Jim.
“I know that a lot of people wanted to hear me speak, so I apologise to everyone who was in the stadium and didn’t hear me speak, and on the TV as well.
“But that’s the main reason and I have to stand by my decision and hold this stance until something is done.
“So I leave it to Channel 9 and hopefully that situation changes for the next match.”
Volkanovski, 36, supported the tennis legend, writing on X: “He’s right and he should get an apology.”
Volkanovski is viewed as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
He won the UFC featherweight title in 2019 against fellow veteran Max Holloway, and defended it a whopping five times in the four years that followed.
‘The Great’ eventually dropped the belt to current UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in his last bout in February, after moving up a division to challenge for lightweight gold against Islam Makhachev.
Djokovic has a difficult relationship with Australia following his deportation from the country in 2022 for failing to comply with their Covid-19 regulations.
Yet the majority of the general public were on his side for this incident.
Channel 9 journalist Jones has since apologised and added that he hopes Djokovic’s focus can remain on the tennis, and apologised if the Serbian felt he was disrespected.
Djokovic meets Alcaraz on Tuesday morning for a place in the last four.
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