Channel Nine presenter Tony Jones enrages Australian Open fans with ‘disrespectful’ chant about tennis champ Novak Djokovic – as he’s accused of ‘setting them up’
A veteran Channel 9 presenter has been labelled a ‘disgrace’ after chanting at tennis fans while doing a live cross from the Australian Open that one of the greatest players of all time is a ‘has-been’.
Channel 9 sports journalist Tony Jones mocked Novak Djokovic in front of a large crowd of cheering fans who had gathered behind him while he did the sports segment for the afternoon news.
One person who claimed to be part of the group posted online that Nine Network staff had asked them to chant in support of Djokovic whilst, unbeknownst to them, Jones was sledging him live on air, just out of earshot of the crowd.
Jones presented the segment prior to Djokovic’s third round match against Tomas Machac at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and commented about the audience behind him and how they were cheering for the world number number seven.
‘Welcome back to Melbourne Park where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans in full voice … the chants are quite extraordinary,’ he began.
Jones then turned around and gave a chant of his own in opposition.
‘Novak is overrated … Novak’s a has-been … Novak kick him out,’ he said while looking back on the enthusiastic crowd.
‘I am glad that they can’t hear me.’
Vetern Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones (pictured) has been slammed after mocking Novak Djokovic in front of legions of the player’s fans on Friday
Mr Jones presented a segment prior to Djokovic’s third round match when he called the record-breaking player a ‘has been’ who should retire
Following his antics Mr Jones continued reading out the news of the tournament before signing off and joking that he had better ‘get out of here’.
‘That wraps it up from Melbourne Park and somehow, I am going to have to get out of here … nah we are fine, we had selfies and I told them I was Clint Stanaway,’ he said.
Before Djokovic fans had any idea what the sports journalist had said in his live cross, anchor Tom Steinfort noted that his colleague might have just made himself even more unpopular than US player Danielle Collins.
Collins has been a divisive figure in the tournament after she had earlier in the week gestured to the crowd after her hard-fought but victorious match against Aussie Destanee Aiava to ‘shut up’ and kiss her behind.
‘I didn’t think anyone would be more unpopular than Danielle Collins after last night’s antics, but Tony well done, you’ve taken the cake.’ he said.
Once the segment had aired furious fans were quick to jump on social media to slam Mr Jones’ ‘disrespect’.
‘I’m sure TJ would never ever have said this about Fed or Nadal,’ one fan tweeted.
‘…whatever that was: trolling the fans, annoyed at the fans, joking with the fans etc. I think it missed the mark and was in poor taste, lacking respect.’
More people, including other sports stars, also piled on with their own criticisms of the live cross.
Mr Jones caused a wave of fury online amongst tennis fans who said he ‘disrespected’ the tennis great
Anchor Tom Steinfort said his colleague might have become more unpopular than female tennis star Danielle Collins who taunted her own crowd on Thursday
Aussie tennis great Paul McNamee took personal offence to Mr Jones’ offhanded remarks.
‘Tony I’m surprised, especially as you work for the host broadcaster, that you would send up a bunch of Aussies [with European heritage] having a good time celebrating their 10-time AO champion … trying to be funny mate,’ Mr McNamee wrote.
AFL star Jack Ginnivan, who plays for Hawthorn, also failed to see the funny side.
‘How can this be on TV. Disrespecting the GOAT, embarrassing,’ he wrote.
While some social media users defended Mr Jones by pointing out that he was simply ‘being sarcastic’ a majority of them did not let him off the hook.
‘The guy with the most slams and most masters and most atp finals and most weeks #1 and most year-end #1s is overrated??’ one wrote.
‘Have to say, this is one of the strangest things Tony Jones has done on camera. I know it’s a ‘joke’, but to have such a lack of respect from the host broadcaster is … slightly questionable,’ another added.
‘What an absolute disgrace from TJ, totally unacceptable to disrespect a champion,’ a third said.
‘This was disgusting. Regardless if you like Novak or not. He is a champion of the game and a 10 time winner of the Australian Open. Show respect to a living great of the game. Tony Jones should give a public apology to Novak and all tennis supporters,’ a fourth wrote.
