Novak Djokovic learns his fate from Australian Open bosses after breaking the rules by boycotting interview over Tony Jones scandal
Tennis Australia has decided not to fine Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic for skipping media commitments to protest comments made by Channel Nine star Tony Jones last week.
Djokovic declined a post-match interview following his fourth-round victory, explaining during his press conference and on social media that he decided on the boycott because he was mocked by Jones.
“A few days ago, the famous sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster Channel 9 here in Australia made fun of Serbian fans and also made insulting and insulting comments towards me,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner later clarified.
“And since then he has chosen not to make any public apology. Neither does Channel 9. Because they are official broadcasters, I have chosen not to give interviews for Channel 9.”
The comments came Friday as Jones broadcast to a gathered crowd of Serbian Djokovic fans who sang and chanted in honor of their hero.
“Welcome back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans, they are in full voice,” Jones said. ‘The chants are very special.’
Novak Djokovic will escape sanctions for skipping media duties in protest over Channel Nine reporter Tony Jones’ comments
Jones has publicly apologized and has been retained by the host broadcaster for the remainder of the Australian Open
Jones was criticized for mocking Serbian supporters and making disparaging comments about their hero Novak Djokovic
He then turned to the Serbian supporters and mocked their chant: “Novak, he’s overrated,” Jones sang. “Novak has been one. Novak, kick him out.
“Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me. Anyway, let’s play tennis.’
Jones apologized on air, explaining that the comments were intended as humor, but acknowledged the disrespect caused.
‘If I could turn back time, and I know that in retrospect we have all been promoted, I think the only thing I have gone over the line, and this is certainly what really angers Novak Djokovic and his camp, is the last comment I made when I was going back and forth with the crowd: ‘kick him out,'” Jones said on Nine.
Djokovic accepted the public apology and shifted focus to his upcoming matches.
Attendance at media engagements is mandatory for all players at grand slam events, with skipping them considered as gaining an unfair advantage as it gives players more time to prepare than their opponent.
However, the Australian Open has chosen not to fine Djokovic because of his position.
There are no established fines in the Grand Slam Code of Conduct. Instead, a sliding scale is used that penalizes players based on their ranking and earning potential.
Russian star Daniil Medvedev was heavily fined for breaking his racket, attacking a camera and billboards and skipping a media interview
Naomi Osaka was also fined for missing a media appearance at the French Open despite citing mental health issues
That starts at $1,000 for lower-ranked players and increases depending on the severity of the violation and the player’s earning potential.
The rules state that a player in the top 10 can be fined $20,000 due to the skipper’s media obligations.
Djokovic already holds the record for the largest fine ever, with a fine of $267,500 [$432,395 AUD] after being disqualified from the 2020 US Open.
In that case, the 24-time grand slam was started from Flushing Meadows after he hit a linesman in the throat while hitting a ball in frustration.
While Djokovic got away scot-free, world number 5 Daniil Medvedev was not so lucky.
He was fined $123,000 for two incidents – almost the entire $150,000 in prize money he earned at the 2025 Australian Open.
Melbourne isn’t all about scandals and tennis for Djokovic, who is pictured helping his daughter Tara learn to surf during the grand slam
Djokovic’s very Australian circuit breaker at the Open came after he also took time out to play a game of Big Bash League cricket
Medvedev collapsed during his five-set victory over Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej, attacking a net camera and destroying his racket.
The camera was very strong, because my racket could not withstand the damage, but the camera could. I was very surprised,” Medvedev said afterwards.
In his second round match, he threw his racket at the billboards and skipped the early morning post-match media conference.
While the majority of his punishments related to his destructive behavior, at least part of the monster penalty involved skipping his media obligations.
The ATP rulebook clearly states that media commitments are mandatory.
‘Unless injured and physically unable to appear, a player or team must be available after the conclusion of each match, as determined by ATP, on the field (for TVs only), in the mixed zone or in the media conference area, regardless of whether the player or team the winner or the loser,” the rule book states.
Djokovic can count himself lucky after other big names were fined for the same crime.
Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 at the 2021 French Open for skipping her press conference after her first-round win despite citing mental health reasons.
In a staggering twist, the four slams released a combined statement saying that fining Osaka was in the interest of “fairness.”
“We would like to emphasize that there are rules in place to ensure that all players are treated exactly the same, regardless of their status, beliefs or achievements,” the statement said.
‘As a sport there is nothing more important than ensuring that no player has an unfair advantage over another, which is unfortunately the case in this situation when one player refuses to spend time participating in media obligations while the others all fulfill their obligations .’
However, in 2023, Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka escaped sanction after refusing to hold an official post-match press conference following a French Open match, claiming she “didn’t feel safe” due to the escalation of the war in Ukraine.
“I have to feel safe when I do interviews with journalists after my matches,” Sabalenka said at the time.
“For my own mental health and well-being, I have decided to remove myself from this situation today, and the tournament has supported me in this decision.”