MP Simeon Brown has gained the health portfolio from Dr Shane Reti, and Hamas has released its first three Israeli hostages as a ceasefire begins. Video / Mark Mitchell, AFP
Novak Djokovic says he will not do any more on-court interviews at the Australian Open after accusing a leading anchor at the host broadcaster of making “insulting comments” about him and Serbian people.
The 10-time Melbourne champion refused to do a regular post-match chat after beating Jiri Lehecka in three sets on Rod Laver Arena to make the quarter-finals.
Instead, he took the microphone from interviewer Jim Courier, made a quick statement thanking the crowd and walked off to a smattering of boos.
Djokovic explained the decision in a post-match press conference.
“Couple days ago the famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel Nine here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” he said, not naming him but appearing to reference Tony Jones.
“And since then, he chose not to issue any public apology. Neither did Channel Nine. So since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine.
“I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public,” Djokovic added.
“It was a very awkward situation for me to face on the court today.”
Asked if it would be an ongoing stance until he got an apology, he replied: “Yes, exactly.”
According to local media, Djokovic’s supporters were angered on Friday when Jones made fun of them and the 24-time grand slam winner while on air, calling the Serb a “has been”.
“Welcome back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans, they’re in full voice. The chants are quite extraordinary,” he said.
Jones then turned around and began singing to the crowd, live on air.
“Novak, he’s overrated,” Jones sang.
“Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out.
“Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me. Anyway, let’s get onto the tennis.”
Djokovic said he had since been in touch with tournament chief Craig Tiley and was willing to accept a fine for not doing the on-court interviews.
“That’s okay, I’ll accept that because I feel like this is something that needs to be done. That’s all there is to it,” he said.
Results wrap
Novak Djokovic surged into an Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz with a dominant victory on Sunday while women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka was a ruthless winner.
Double defending champion Sabalenka is on a collision course with in-form world number three Coco Gauff in the semifinals in Melbourne if both win in the last eight.
On the hottest day of the tournament so far, with temperatures hitting 34C, Alcaraz went through when Britain’s Jack Draper retired injured.
The 37-year-old Djokovic then secured a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over Czech 24th seed Jiri Lehecka in the prime-time match on Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic is anticipating a “big battle” against Alcaraz on Tuesday.
“The kind of matches that I played against him remind me of my match-ups versus [Rafael] Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court,” he said.
Djokovic appears to be growing into the tournament in an ominous sign for his rivals, as he pursues a record-extending 11th Melbourne crown and historic 25th Grand Slam title.
He dropped a set in each of his opening two matches but has won the previous two in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic. Photo / Getty Images
Djokovic and Alcaraz have played each other seven times, with the Serb leading 4-3, including victory in their last clash in the Paris Olympics final.
But they have never played at Melbourne Park, where Djokovic has achieved his greatest success.
“When we are seeing him playing, he seems like he’s young again ... it’s unbelievable. He’s in a really good shape,” said Alcaraz, who has vowed to get a kangaroo tattoo if he wins the Australian Open for the first time.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne, was leading 7-5, 6-1 when Draper pulled the plug.
Draper had come through all three of his previous matches in five sets, and all from 2-1 down, and it appeared to have taken its toll.
“It’s not the way I wanted to win, but obviously I’m happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia,” said Alcaraz.
The 23-year-old Draper, whose rise has been held back by issues with his body, said his hip injury had been a “ticking time bomb” and he had “multiple areas really in pain”.
American 12th seed Tommy Paul destroyed Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for the loss of just three games as he bids to match or better his semifinal appearance from 2023.
Paul will meet German second seed Alexander Zverev, who survived a mid-match wobble to oust France’s Ugo Humbert.
Zverev, who is zeroing in on a maiden Grand Slam title, won 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Aryna Sabalenka sent a warning to the tournament. Photo / Getty Images
Sabalenka blew away Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 to sweep into the quarter-finals.
“Two out of three sets at this stage of my career is not that physically hard for me,” said the 20-year-old Gauff, who is chasing a first Melbourne title.
“The off-season I just put in so much work physically so I’m not worried at all about recovering emotionally or mentally.”
Badosa declared she “loves” Gauff but said that will not prevent her looking for “revenge”.
The pair have a 3-3 head-to-head record but Gauff won both their meetings in 2024, with each going to three sets.
The last time was in the semi-finals of the WTA China Open in Beijing, where Gauff won 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on her way to lifting the title.
