Novak Djokovic declined a post-match TV interview after winning in the fourth round of the Australian Open after an on-air personality from the local Australian broadcaster of the tournament made negative comments about him in front of Serbian fans.

The host broadcaster has apologized after Novak Djokovic declined to do a customary post-match on court interview at the Australian Open Sunday to protest comments made on air by someone who works for the TV network.

Novak Djokovic declined to do a customary post-match TV interview at the Australian Open after his win Sunday night to protest comments made on air by someone who works for the official broadcaster of the tournament in the host country.

The presenter at the center of Novak Djokovic’s decision to boycott on-court interviews at the Australian Open has apologized to the 24-time Grand Slam champion, saying that he “overstepped the mark.” Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones was overlooking a group of Serbian fans while recording a dispatch from Melbourne Park Friday night.

Djokovic has beaten Alcaraz four times in seven overall meetings, including a victory in the final at the Paris Olympics last August

Tennis star Novak Djokovic refused to participate in a customary post-match interview after advancing to the quarterfinals in the Australian Open on Sunday, blaming the tournament’s official broadcaster after a presenter “decided to mock” Serbian fans.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion opted out of a traditional on-court interview Sunday following his fourth-round win over Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka at the Australian Open, citing “insulting and offensive comments” made toward him by a presenter for Channel 9, which broadcasts the tournament, days prior.

Djokovic has been known to pick a battle with fans in the crowd because it spurs him to play better, and he often thrives off being public enemy No.1. The 10-time Australian Open champion will meet Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals in Melbourne, but will head into the match as a heavy underdog.

A leading TV presenter apologised on-air Monday to Novak Djokovic after mocking the 24-time Grand Slam winner and his Serbian fans at the Australian Open, saying it was meant to be banter.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic and fans of the Serbian for comments he made on TV on Friday night that the 10-times Australian Open champion considered "insulting and offensive".

A leading TV presenter apologised on-air Monday to Novak Djokovic after mocking the 24-time Grand Slam winner and his Serbian fans at the Australian Open, saying it was meant to be banter."We have built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans