Veteran Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones has been slammed by fans for “disrespecting” Novak Djokovic during his cross on the 6pm news on Friday night.
Jones, was reading the sport segment from the Australian Open in front of rowdy Serbian fans, who were getting ready to watch Djokovic’s third-round clash.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tony Jones under fire for Novak Djokovic chant.
The fans had most likely been told to chant as Jones begun his cross.
“Welcome back to Melbourne Park where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans in full voice … the chants are quite extraordinary,” Jones said.
The fans were in full voice when Jones turned around and delivered his own chants back to them.
“Novak is overrated … Novak’s a has-been … Novak kick him out,” he sung back to them before adding, “I am glad that they can’t hear me.”
Jones continued to read the news and the singing Serbian fans had dispersed by the time Jones finished his cross.
“That wraps it up from Melbourne Park and somehow, I am going to have to get out of here … nah we are fine, we had selfies and I told them I was Clint Stanaway,” he joked.
Anchor Tom Steinfort replied that Jones may have usurped Danielle Collins, who riled up the crowd with her antics the previous night, as the most unpopular figure at the Australian Open.
“I didn’t think anyone would be more unpopular than Danielle Collins after last night’s antics, but Tony well done, you’ve taken the cake.” he said.
While it was all laughs on the air, the comments did not go down well on social media.
A clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) has gone viral with the majority saying it was unacceptable.
“I’m sure TJ would never ever have said this about Fed or Nadal,” one fan tweeted with the clip that has since racked up over 300,000 views.
“…whatever that was: trolling the fans, annoyed at the fans, joking with the fans etc. I think it missed the mark and was in poor taste, lacking respect,” they added.
Sporting identities and fans were quick to call out the “disgraceful” comments and demanded an apology.
Aussie tennis great Paul McNamee said: “Tony I’m surprised, especially as you work for the host broadcaster, that you would send up a bunch of Aussies (with European heritage) having a good time celebrating their 10-time AO champion … trying to be funny mate?”
Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan said: “How can this be on TV. Disrespecting the goat, embarrassing.”
“The guy with the most slams and most masters and most atp finals and most weeks #1 and most year-end #1s is overrated?? LOL!!!!” one fan said.
“What a disgraceful thing to say!” another added.
“What an absolute disgrace from TJ, totally unacceptable to disrespect a champion,” another said.
“Have to say, this is one of the strangest things Tony Jones has done on camera. I know it’s a ‘joke’, but to have such a lack of respect from the host broadcaster is … slightly questionable,” another added.
“This was disgusting. Regardless if you like Novak or not. He is a champion of the game and a 10 time winner of the Australian Open. Show respect to a living great of the game. Tony Jones should give a public apology to Novak and all tennis supporters,” another said.
While there were plenty of comments taking aim at TJ, some fans could see what he was trying to do.
“Looks like he was being sarcastic,” one said.
“For what it’s worth, I think he was joking, even though it was tainted with hate,” another said.
“It’s called having a bit of fun…” another said.