Awkward moment Djokovic walks out of on-court interview after saying just 22 words before releasing statement on boycott

NOVAK DJOKOVIC refused to instrumentality portion successful an on-court interrogation pursuing his consecutive sets triumph implicit Jiri Lehecka astatine the Australian Open earlier today.

The superb Serb, 37, produced an fantabulous show to publication a quarter-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

But having been upset by comments made by Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones, Djokovic did not instrumentality astir for an interview.

Following the match, Jones' workfellow Jim Courier took to the tribunal connected Rod Laver Arena to talk to Djokovic.

But the 24-time Major champion lone offered a little connection to fans earlier walking off.

Before being seen successful discussions with tourney manager Craig Tiley, Djokovic said: "Thank you precise overmuch for being present tonight, I admit your beingness and the support. I'll spot you successful the adjacent round."

Jones, 63, upset Djokovic with comments made portion lasting successful beforehand of a vocal radical of singing Serbian supporters.

The Aussie said: "Welcome backmost to Melbourne Park, wherever you tin spot the Novak Djokovic fans, they’re successful afloat voice. The chants are rather extraordinary."

Jones past sang: ‘Novak, he’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, footwear him out.

"Boy, I’m gladsome they can’t perceive me. Anyway, let’s get onto the tennis."

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Djokovic began his post-match property league with a pre-prepared connection connected the issue.

He said: "Good evening. I would similar to conscionable clarify the crushed wherefore the interrogation was not conducted connected the court, the post-match interview, similar it's a common, accustomed practice.

"A mates of days agone the celebrated sports writer who works for authoritative broadcaster, Channel 9 present successful Australia, made a mockery of Serbian fans and besides made insulting and violative comments towards me.

"And since then, helium chose not to contented immoderate nationalist apology. Neither did Channel 9. So since they're authoritative broadcasters, I chose not to springiness interviews for Channel 9.

"I person thing against Jim Courier oregon the Australian public. It was a precise awkward concern for maine to look connected the tribunal today. It's unfortunate.

"I chose to accidental thing to the crowd, but evidently it wasn't the clip and abstraction oregon concern for maine to explicate what I'm doing close now.

"I permission it to Channel 9 to grip this the mode they deliberation they spot fit. That's all."

After confirming that this would stay his stance until helium receives a nonstop apology, Djokovic added of his speech with Tiley: "Exactly what I told you, that's what I told him. I haven't seen him since that happened.

"I person a truly bully narration with Craig, I deliberation he's a phenomenal feline that ever tries to assistance players and recognize the players' needs oregon demands, truthful I conscionable wanted to marque definite that helium knows wherever I basal and the reasons down it.

"So I told him, 'If you guys privation to good maine for not giving an on-court interview, that's okay, I'll judge that due to the fact that I consciousness similar this is thing that needs to beryllium done'. That's each determination is to it."

Djokovic went connected to reaffirm his connection successful a video posted to societal media - earlier admitting that helium hopes the concern tin beryllium resolved up of his quarter-final with Alcaraz.

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Channel 9 stalwart Jones has antecedently been progressive successful contention during his near-four decades with the Aussie broadcaster.

In 2016 helium infamously tried to buss workfellow Bec Judd, present 41, during a unrecorded segment.

When approached by Balkan outlet SportKlub, Jones did explicit regret astatine his words.

He said: "Unfortunately, my 'humor' the different nighttime was misinterpreted arsenic an onslaught connected Novak.

"That was surely not the case. I’ve been joking with Serbian fans passim the tourney and this is – astatine slightest I thought truthful – a continuation of that.

"If you ticker our greeting show, you’ll get an thought of ​​how we work. At nary constituent did I mean to amusement immoderate disrespect to Novak and I apologise – determination was surely nary volition to offend him."

It is not wide whether Djokovic expects a further on-air oregon in-person apology.