Australia's Channel Nine has issued an apology to tennis superstar Novak Djokovic after one of its presenters made a remark that sparked outrage and led to an interview boycott.
Earlier in the morning, the presenter in question, Jones, took to Nine's Today to address the issue publicly, considering his on-air remarks as mere banter or humour.
However, it appears that his attempt at humour fell flat, as the Djokovic camp was not amused by the comments, prompting Jones to send an apology to the tennis star's team on Saturday as soon as he found out they were unhappy with the remarks.
The incident has raised questions about the line between humour and disrespect in sports broadcasting, with many calling for greater sensitivity and respect towards athletes.
Jones' apology is seen as a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to mend fences with Djokovic and his team.
The Australian Open, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, is currently underway, and the incident has cast a shadow over the event.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Djokovic to see how he responds to the apology and whether he will grant any further interviews to Channel Nine.
The incident serves as a reminder that words have consequences, and broadcasters must be mindful of the impact their comments can have on athletes and the sports community as a whole.