In a statement Monday, the Nine Network apologized to Djokovic “for any offense caused from comments made during a recent live cross.”
“No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans,” the statement continued. “We look forward to further showcasing his Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.”
Jones appeared on the Today program Monday to apologize, and said he meant the comments as “banter.”
“I considered it to be humor, which is consistent with most things I do,” he said. “Having said that, I was made aware … that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments.
“I immediately contacted the Djokovic camp and issued an apology to them. And as I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak.”
Jones also apologized to any Serbian fans who didn’t interpret his comments as humorous.
“I do feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans,” he said. “I’m not just saying this to try and wriggle out of trouble or anything. I genuinely feel for those fans.”
“So, I can only again tell Novak what I told him 48 hours ago. And that is I do apologize if he felt that I disrespected him.”
