It’s game, set and match to Novak Djovokic. The Serbian tennis ace has received and “acknowledged” an apology from Australian broadcaster Channel Nine over comments made by its reporter, Toby Jones.

Djovokic had boycotted an on-court interview after his third-round victory at the Australian Open in Melbourne this week. This was after Jones had chanted, “Novak is overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out” to Serbian supporters during a live broadcast before the match against Jiri Lehacka.

Jones — who works for Nine, the tournament’s official broadcaster — was widely criticized by tennis professionals and social media commenters after his remarks went viral, and he has since apologized to Djovokic’s camp and the Serbian fans. “I considered it to be humour, which is consistent with most things I do,” he said. “Having said that, I was made aware on the Saturday morning from Tennis Australia that the Djokovic camp was not happy at all with those comments.

“As such, 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. I do apologise if he felt that I disrespected him.”

He added that the “kick him out” remark, in particular, was triggering to Djovokic’s fans following the legendary player’s deportation from Australia in 2021 over his decision to remain unvaccinated during Covid-19 pandemic.

Nine issued its own statement, saying: “Nine would like to apologize to Novak Djokovic for any offence caused from comments made during a recent live cross. No harm was intended towards Novak or his fans. We look forward to further showcasing his Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.”

Djovokic, who plays world number two Carlos Alcaraz in the mens quarter final tomorrow, has accepted the apology, according to Tennis Australia. “Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested,” a statement read. “He is is now moving on and focusing on his next match.”

As the winner of a record 24 Grand Slams and the gold medal at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, the 37-year-old Djovokic is considered by many as the greatest male tennis player in history.