A leading TV presenter apologised on air Monday to Novak Djokovic after mocking the 24-time Grand Slam winner and Serbian fans at the Australian Open, with Elon Musk and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese among those wading into the row. 

The 37-year-old tennis great on Sunday refused to do a routine on-court interview after beating Jiri Lehecka to set up a quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne. Afterwards Djokovic said it was in protest at Tony Jones, a top sports presenter with host broadcaster Channel Nine, who he accused of “insulting and offensive comments” towards him and Serbian fans.