Channel Nine presenter Tony Jones enrages Australian Open fans with 'disrespectful' chant about tennis champ Novak Djokovic - as he's accused of 'setting them up'
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A veteran Channel 9 presenter has been labelled a 'disgrace' after chanting at tennis fans while doing a live cross from the Australian Open that one of the greatest players of all time is a 'has-been'. Channel 9 sports journalist Tony Jones mocked Novak Djokovic in front of a large crowd of cheering fans who had gathered behind him while he did the sports segment for the afternoon news.
![[Mr Jones presented a segment prior to Djokovic's third round match when he called the record-breaking player a 'has been' who should retire]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/08/94235059-14299093-Mr_Jones_was_delivering_the_news_prior_to_Djokovic_s_third_round-a-20_1737187400360.jpg)
One person who claimed to be part of the group posted online that Nine Network staff had asked them to chant in support of Djokovic whilst, unbeknownst to them, Jones was sledging him live on air, just out of earshot of the crowd. Jones presented the segment prior to Djokovic's third round match against Tomas Machac at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena and commented about the audience behind him and how they were cheering for the world number number seven.
![[One woman who claimed to be part of the crowd said Nine had asked them to chant then 'mocked' them on air]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/08/94235973-14299093-image-a-21_1737188916646.jpg)
'Welcome back to Melbourne Park where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans in full voice ... the chants are quite extraordinary,' he began. Jones then turned around and gave a chant of his own in opposition. 'Novak is overrated ... Novak's a has-been ... Novak kick him out,' he said while looking back on the enthusiastic crowd.
![[Mr Jones caused a wave of fury online amongst tennis fans who said he 'disrespected' the tennis great]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/08/94235047-14299093-Mr_Jones_caused_a_wave_of_fury_online_amongst_tennis_fans_who_sa-a-17_1737187400357.jpg)
'I am glad that they can't hear me.'. Vetern Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones (pictured) has been slammed after mocking Novak Djokovic in front of legions of the player's fans on Friday. Mr Jones presented a segment prior to Djokovic's third round match when he called the record-breaking player a 'has been' who should retire.
![[Anchor Tom Steinfort said his colleague might have become more unpopular than female tennis star Danielle Collins who taunted her own crowd on Thursday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/08/94235235-14299093-Anchor_Tom_Steinfort_said_his_colleague_might_have_become_more_u-a-19_1737187400358.jpg)
