Jim Courier gives verdict on Novak Djokovic vs Channel 9's Tony Jones row after being snubbed in Australian Open on-court interview

Jim Courier has given his verdict on Novak Djokovic’s row with broadcaster Channel 9 journalist Tony Jones. Courier feels the incident could motivate the Serb as he looks for a record 11th Australian Open title.

Djokovic denied giving Courier an on-court interview after beating Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday, January 19. The 24-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged and thanked the crowd but did not take any questions from Courier.

While addressing the media in the post-match press conference, Djokovic clarified that he took the stance because of Jones' unsavory remarks towards him and the Serbian fans.

Courier, in a chat with Tennis Channel Live, said the incident left a bitter taste but might end up firing up Djokovic.

"One of Novak’s great qualities is he finds things to fire himself up and motivate him. He certainly has that extra edge here at this tournament. Overall, while this is not a super great thing for the tournament, I think, for Novak, it might turn out to be a net positive, because he is definitely motivated in a big way for lots of reasons,” said Courier.

That motivation will play a big role when Djokovic takes on third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Tuesday, January 21.

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What is the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic and Tony Jones?

Novak Djokovic was upset over Jones' comments while shooting a segment for Channel 9. Jones, who later claimed it was meant in good faith, took a dig at the Serbian crowd that had gathered to support the 10-time Australian Open champion. He also made a few unsavory remarks about Djokovic.

Here's what Jones had said:

"Back to Melbourne Park, where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans there in full voice. The chants are quite extraordinary. Novak, he's overated! Novak's a has-been! Novak, kick him out! Boy I'm glad they can't hear me."

The comments did not go down well with Djokovic and he said he would not speak to Channel 9 until they issued a public apology and was willing to pay a fine if the Australian Open were to impose one on him for doing so.

Jones later stated that he heard from the organizers that the Djokovic camp was not happy with his comments and he had rendered an apology to them.

In an attempt to clarify his statements, Jones said:

“If I could turn back time, and we've all got PhDs in hindsight, I think the one thing where I overstepped the mark, and this is most certainly what angered Novak Djokovic and his camp, is the last comment I made in that back-and-forth with the crowd, "kick him out". Now I can stand here and put whatever spin I want on that, but it can only be interpreted as a throwback to the COVID years when he was kicked out.”

Novak Djokovic will look to put this incident past him as he puts on his blinkers to focus on the high-octane match against Alcaraz. The Serb had beaten his younger opponent in their last match at the Paris Olympics. But Alcaraz got the better of Djokovic in the 2024 Wimbledon final.