Nick Kyrgios sticks up for Novak Djokovic, lashes out at 'unathletic' Tony Jones over Australian Open drama

Novak Djokovic inched closer to the 2025 Australian Open trophy with a victory over Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round. After the win, the 24-time Grand Slam champion declined the customary on-court interview with Jim Courier.

Djokovic clarified in a post-match press conference that his decision was in support of Serbian fans and himself as they were disrespected by a sports journalist. He added that he would not give any interviews to the official broadcaster of the Australian Open, Channel 9, without naming the commentator Tony Jones.

Nick Kyrgios took to X to back the World No. 7 for standing up to Jones. He believed Jones was in no position to "call out" a top athlete like the 10-time Australian Open champion.

"Why is it always the most un athletic people calling out the best athletes in the world"

The 63-year-old journalist has issued an apology for his remarks that targeted Serbian fans cheering for Djokovic. He had mocked their chants and by using a sing-song voice at the time and said:

"Novak he's overrated. Novak is a has-been. Novak kick him out."

Channel 9 has also issued an apology seperately for Jones' conduct.

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Novak Djokovic to face Carlos Alcaraz in QFs of Australian Open

In Picture: Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open. Image: Getty

Novak Djokovic's beef with Channel 9 did not take the sheen off his stellar win against Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round of the 2025 Australian Open on Sunday, January 19. The former World No. 1 took 2 hours and 39 minutes to close the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) in his favor.

With the win, Djokovic equaled Roger Federer's record of 15 Australian Open men's quarterfinal appearances. It will also be Djokovic's record-extending 61st Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the Melbourne Major. In a post-match press-conference after his fourth-round win, the Serb reflected on his previous on-court encounters with Alcaraz.

"I'm expecting a big battle as is the case with most of our matches where we face each other. Maybe a couple of times it was quite one-sided, Wimbledon finals last year, he was the dominant force on the court and I had a really good match against him in the World Tour Finals [ATP Finals] in 2023. Other than that we had some more battles, long exchanges in the matches that I played against him." he said [at 1:52]

Djokovic also likened Alcaraz's playing style to that of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

"Reminds me of my matchups against Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court and he's very dynamic, explosive player, incredibly talented and charismatic player. Great to watch but not to play against," he laughed.

The quarterfinal clash between the World No. 2 and 7 will take place on Tuesday, January 21 at Rod Laver Arena.