Channel 9 host Tony Jones has been at the receiving end of criticism from Novak Djokovic supporters following a controversial remark he made during a live broadcast. Jones made those comments when he was reading sports news from Melbourne Park.

On Friday (January 17), the World No.7 played his third-round match against Tomas Machac and defeated him in straight sets. Many Serbian fans huddled up outside the Nine News Melbourne booth and it was when Jones attempted to get under their skin by sledging the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

The 63-year-old journalist claimed later it was just banter, but in spite of that, fans on social media are censuring him, calling his remark unprofessional.

Novak Djokovic is the most successful man at the Australian Open, has clinched the most Grand Slam singles titles in men’s tennis, and has won the most ATP Finals.

A legend like him was mocked on live television by a veteran newsreader did not go down well with tennis fans, and even Australian doubles great Paul McNamee joined the discussion and expressed his surprise.

Check out their reactions here:

Djokovic, who defeated Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria, registered his first straight-set win in the ongoing tournament. He is now scheduled to meet Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round.

The 10-time Australian Open champion, who lost to current World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals last year, has met Lehecka once, in the 2024 United Cup which he won. The 24th seed is a quarterfinalist in Melbourne, reaching the last eight in 2023.

Before setting up the clash with the 37-year-old, the player from the Czech Republic overcame Li Tu in the first round, before receiving a walkover from Hugo Gaston in the second round.

He then defeated Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets. The World No. 29 has never progressed to the semifinal of a Grand Slam tournament.