Novak Djokovic has set up a blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz but also has the host broadcaster in his sights, demanding an apology.
Ten-time champion Djokovic overcame 23-year-old Czech Jiri Lehecka on Sunday, winning 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to keep alive his quest for a record 25th grand slam singles title.
The full house at Rod Laver Arena were left stunned when the Serb refused to be interviewed post-match by Channel Nine commentator Jim Courier, using the microphone to thank fans before signing some autographs and leaving the court.
He explained in a later press conference that it was in protest to comments made by veteran Channel Nine newsreader Tony Jones.
During a live broadcast on Friday night, Jones mocked Serbian fans as well as Djokovic, calling him “over-rated” and a “has-been”.
While the comments were supposed to be a joke, Djokovic described them as “insulting and offensive”.
“A couple of days ago, a 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,” Djokovic said.
“Since then, he chose not to issue any public apology, neither did Channel 9.
“So since they are official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine.
“I leave it to Channel Nine to handle this the way they think they see fit.”
Djokovic said he would continue to boycott the station until he received an apology.
He said that he had explained his stance to tournament director Craig Tiley, and said he would pay a fine if required for not fulfilling his media commitments.
While his post-match antics were a major talking point, Djokovic also made a statement on the court.
With his 10-year-old son Stefan, a rare visitor to the Open, watching in the stands, Djokovic sealed his 15th quarter-final appearance – equalling Roger Federer’s all-time record at Melbourne Park.
He also stretched his all-time record for grand slam quarter-final appearances to 61.
Alcaraz advanced earlier in the day when his fourth round opponent, 15th-seed Brit Jack Draper, was forced to withdraw with a hip injury while trailing 7-5 6-1.
Lehecka posed a genuine threat to the veteran after an eight-match unbeaten start to the year, which included the Brisbane International title.
He had only dropped one set in three Open matches, while his best grand slam result came at Melbourne Park with a quarter-final berth in 2023.
While world No.29 Lehecka hit some spectacular winners, an unforced error tally of 44 cruelled his chances against the Serbian maestro.
Lehecka struggled to penetrate the game of the former world No.1, although he finally managed to break Djokovic’s serve in the second game of the third set to level at 1-1.
That boost of confidence breathed life into the battle and, willed by the large crowd, Lehecka kept his nose in front as the set headed to a tie-breaker.
Djokovic took control early and gave himself two match points, wrapping it up at his first opportunity.
Due to Djokovic’s ranking dropping to No.7, the Tuesday night show-stopper against third-seeded Alcaraz comes earlier than many would deem worthy.
Last year, the pair squared off in the Olympic gold medal match, won by 37-year-old Djokovic, while Acalraz clinched their Wimbledon title showdown for the second straight year.
Alcaraz, 21, has won four majors and needs the Australian Open crown to complete his career slam.
His best result at the Open was last year’s quarter-final showing, where he fell to current No.2 Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic exited in the semi-finals, beaten by eventual winner Jannik Sinner.
