Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: Djokovic, Alcaraz put title hopes on the line; Sabalenka keeps her three-peat hopes alive

“Novak will speak for himself,” said the middle-aged woman draped in the colours of the Serbian flag sternly.

With Novak Djokovic in the background, practising on Rod Laver Arena for his big night against Carlos Alcaraz, the woman said fans had been directed by the Djokovic team’s official media operation not to talk to the media. Then she turned around to watch her hero serve.

Tonight is not only the quarter-final between the old GOAT and a rising giant of tennis – it’s also the first time Djokovic has been on court since he refused an on court interview after Channel Nine sports commentator Tony Jones joked “kick him out”.

The big question: how will the red-clad Serbian’s fans react?

Fortunately for us, not everyone has taken a vow of silence.

Among the smattering of voices we collected none was prepared to take Jones’ Monday apology at face value.

“He wasn’t sincere,” said Danijela Ristic of Sydney. “I think he deserves to lose his job … He’s a TV reporter. He should know better”.

Her husband, Marko Rajic, was a little more forgiving.

“He didn’t give a real apology. He was going around, around … but I don’t think he should lose his job,” Rajic said. “She is dangerous,” he added, pointing to his wife.

Hasti Lukic of Sydney said Jones’ comments were “just not how Australians do sport really”.

Her husband, Kristian, also did not accept the apology, issued by Jones in a pre-recorded segment on Monday.

“He never actually said the words, ‘I’m sorry’,” Lukic said.

“I hope [Djokovic] gives an interview, because we paid a lot of money, but still I think Tony Jones needs to apologise”.

Despite the ongoing tension over the incident – with Nine beefing up security at Melbourne Park and the Serbian Council of Australia lodging a human rights complaint – Sasha Stojanovic of Narre Warren in Melbourne predicted a “pretty relaxed atmosphere” on centre court tonight. “Probably.”

“Tense at times, but yeah. I think everyone’s focused on the match, not on some douchebag news reporter.”