January 21, 2025 • 8 mins
Novak Djokovic has set up a Australian Open quarter-final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz but also has the host broadcaster in his sights, demanding an apology.
It comes after Channel Nine broadcaster Tony Jones mocked Serbian fans on Australian TV on Friday night as well as Djokovic, calling him "over-rated" and a "has-been".
Australian Open 'Lead Commentator' Robbie Koenig joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the match.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It'd be Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
We're joined to now by the lead Australian Open commentator,
Robbie Kernick.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Robbie, Hi there, Hello guys. Always good to be on
your show.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Yeah, great for you to join us as well, especially
on the eve of what is going to be possibly
we get to finals. Yes, but this matchup coming up
at ten past ten tonight, New Zealand time, it's huge.
It's all about we talk about the changing of the
guard all the time. I bet here it is right.
This is going to be massive, this matchup between al
(00:41):
karaz or alkaaz or what if you want to call
him and Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yeah, it should be. I think if you have a
look at historically some of the matches they've played, they've
always been blockbusters. I just think of the Olympics last year.
Novak was so clutched and Novic didn't want a tour
title last year, but he's always said that his big
goal is to win the Olympics, and he finally got
his hands on that Olympic singles gold medal and in
(01:07):
that match was so keys he saved all eight break
points that he faced, and it's going to have to
be more of the same. In fact, the last time
they played on a hard court outdoor so condition is
similar to this. It was probably the best three set
match that I have ever seen on a hard court.
It went the distance in Cincinnati back in twenty twenty three,
and Novak had to save match points there in order
(01:29):
to beat the youngster. But it was an absolute epic,
I want to say a little over three hours, and
both guys were dead on their feet. Our Karez was
devastated after the loss.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
We're going to go five seats this time around. I'm
presuming that the old Fela can handle that kind of
punishment on his legs.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I hope so. I hope, so for me, I hope,
So for the crowd, I hope it goes deep, and
I hope it's decided by a fifth set match to
break AF I got my way, But I must say
I've done some of Novak's earlier rounds and he certainly
the ball striking hasn't been as sharp as what I
saw in the Olympics. It's not as sharp as when
they played in twenty twenty three. So I think in
(02:07):
my opinion, even though when you look at the fact
that Novak's won three of the last four, I think
ol Kearez is probably playing the better tennis, and I
think he's going to be hugely motivated. But if anybody
can step up on the biggest of stages, it is Djokovic.
So I'm fascinated to see how the first set unfolds.
What I've noticed with Novak is he's been a little
tentative in his opening couple of games, and it's taken
(02:30):
him a while to get into his rhythm, and I
don't think he's going to be allowed that luxury today.
But saying that, I always remember seeing this when he
played an adult, and he knew that he couldn't do
that against the dolls, so he would come out firing,
and it's almost like a blessing in disguise because he
knows there's only one style of tennis that's going to work,
and that makes the decision making so easy for him.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
The best chance for our coroath to actually get over
top of Novak, where would that be besides having the younger,
fitter legs. Where else has he got an eight up
his sleeve?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I think his attacking prowess is unbelievable. I would like
to see him and I think it was the old
days when we were playing it was Chip in charge,
but now the saying is crush and rush on second
serves and intimidate the second serve of Novak. I think
he can get the odd double on a big point
off of it, or at the very least. I've seen
Novak throwing and a couple of very short second serves
(03:25):
that are so attackable, and Carlos does do that well.
I remember when he won the US Open. That was
something he was doing with great regularity. He has deviated
away from that, so I would like to see him
attacking novak second serve. And I think in the backhand
cross court exchanges, I don't think the depth has been
particularly good from Norvak this week. We used to see
(03:45):
him cluing that thing to within a foot of the baseline.
It hasn't been the case so far. So I do
think that the backhand of Novak could be a little susceptible.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
More blokes and action tomorrow. And this is a good
and well it is for the Aussie crowds that can
behave themselves from me, Kin when you sentat on Alex
teminor this has got a lot on it was it
one v eight, It.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Is and nine zero in the head to head, I believe.
But Sinner is obviously not one hundred percent. So we
only came to realize after the match. We saw him
having issues during the match, but that he had I
think gastric problems the night before. He didn't warm up,
he was vomiting, and he was also close to getting
beaten by Holga Runer. That epic breakpoint that he saved
(04:35):
in the third game of the third set, that was
the tipping point. So it's going to be fascinating as
to how Holga holds up Holga Yannick holds up. I
think Ven's being the best tennis of his career, and
if ever Sinner was right for the picking to beat
him for the first time, I think the setup is right.
Now playing at home in his home major, playing the
best tennis of his career, He's fresh. Cinner's not so fresh.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
And of course, Sir Robbie, we can't forget the woman's
draw as well. Underweight nine o'clock tonight in New Zealand
time you've got sable Anca number one seed taking on
on Pavla to Koba. This again has got a lot
of a lot of fun around that i'd expect.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
It is, and I think this match takes on even
more significance knowing that Coco Golf has lost Paula Vedosa
has come through in that section of the draw. So
I think both Pablo Chenkova and Zabelenka are going to
be thinking, you know, that they'd rather take on Vedosa
than Coco. But Pepla Chhenkova was, you know, she was
a prodigious junior. I think was twenty twenty one. She
(05:34):
made the finals of the French Open and came close
to winning the only major of her career. So she
is dangerous, she's fearless. But there is no doubt that
zabel Anka is the player to be the defending champion.
She's been there, she's done it now on the biggest
of stages, so the belief is there. I think it
would take a heck of an effort from Pablo Tchenkova
(05:55):
to get the better of the top seed.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
As long as neither of them look beyond this next match,
because there's nothing but trouble if you do that. One
last thing. Robbert kurdig All was a pleasure to have
you on the program. Novak Djokovic again surrounded on controversy.
Here's a lightning rod. He can't help himself. How much
of that is he going to take and put down
up against El Kharez? Is this going to be a
(06:18):
positive for him what he's dealing with right now? It
seems to be part of his routine, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Well, I'll I'll answer that question in two ways. Michael Jordan,
if you ever watched the Last Dance, he always looked
for things to fire him up on the biggest of games,
and that was always the theme for MJ who was
one of the best basketball players the sports I ever seen.
And perhaps just a little bit of fire as well
in the Billy is not going to do him any harm.
But I'll tell you what. The general consensus is that
(06:45):
Novak is bang on that Tony Jones was overstepped the
mark there, you know, I understand and you'll be aware
of this as well. Things happen off air. A microphone
that has been left on live when you when you
think you're off air and you say something I've misspoken
on air, when i think I've put off my on
air button and it has gone to air. Those things
(07:09):
I think people are more forgivable of. But when you
say stuff like that and you know you live, I
can tell you the general consensus is that there's not
a lot of sympathy for Tony Jones and what he said,
not only about Novak, but I think especially so about
the Serbian fans because they've been great fans over the years.
They've created great theater on that Center Courd. So I
(07:30):
think Novak's actually got a lot more support than people
might think.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
And who do you think the Aussie crowd will get behind?
Because they've caused a bit of a ruckus too. They
can't help themselves. Which way are they leaning?
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Well, it's going to be fascinating to see, I'm not sure.
I mean Carlos, he's such a great entertainer with the
shot making, so that automatically driples people in. But I
think people also respect Novak for taking a stance. He
is a very principal guy, and I think given what
happened a couple of years ago during the COVID, I
(08:01):
think people have come to realize just you know, he
was right about a lot of things, and you know,
he is a ten time champion after all, and I
hope it's respectful. I want it to be a quadron
where the crowd is just going ballistic for great tennis
and fingers crossed they both play well at the same
time because when they do, like we saw in Cincinnati,
(08:22):
it was one for the ages, probably the best three
set match I've ever seen. So let's add two more
sets to that and I'll tell you what, We'll all
be happy.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Like the touch paper stand. Well back, Robbie Kernig lead
a commentator for the Australian Open. He's got that game
this evening. Thanks so much for your time and expertise.
Always a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Right back at you, guys.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to news Talks.
They'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It'd be Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
We're joined to now by the lead Australian Open commentator,
Robbie Kernick.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Robbie, Hi there, Hello guys. Always good to be on
your show.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Yeah, great for you to join us as well, especially
on the eve of what is going to be possibly
we get to finals. Yes, but this matchup coming up
at ten past ten tonight, New Zealand time, it's huge.
It's all about we talk about the changing of the
guard all the time. I bet here it is right.
This is going to be massive, this matchup between al
(00:41):
karaz or alkaaz or what if you want to call
him and Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yeah, it should be. I think if you have a
look at historically some of the matches they've played, they've
always been blockbusters. I just think of the Olympics last year.
Novak was so clutched and Novic didn't want a tour
title last year, but he's always said that his big
goal is to win the Olympics, and he finally got
his hands on that Olympic singles gold medal and in
(01:07):
that match was so keys he saved all eight break
points that he faced, and it's going to have to
be more of the same. In fact, the last time
they played on a hard court outdoor so condition is
similar to this. It was probably the best three set
match that I have ever seen on a hard court.
It went the distance in Cincinnati back in twenty twenty three,
and Novak had to save match points there in order
(01:29):
to beat the youngster. But it was an absolute epic,
I want to say a little over three hours, and
both guys were dead on their feet. Our Karez was
devastated after the loss.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
We're going to go five seats this time around. I'm
presuming that the old Fela can handle that kind of
punishment on his legs.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I hope so. I hope, so for me, I hope,
So for the crowd, I hope it goes deep, and
I hope it's decided by a fifth set match to
break AF I got my way, But I must say
I've done some of Novak's earlier rounds and he certainly
the ball striking hasn't been as sharp as what I
saw in the Olympics. It's not as sharp as when
they played in twenty twenty three. So I think in
(02:07):
my opinion, even though when you look at the fact
that Novak's won three of the last four, I think
ol Kearez is probably playing the better tennis, and I
think he's going to be hugely motivated. But if anybody
can step up on the biggest of stages, it is Djokovic.
So I'm fascinated to see how the first set unfolds.
What I've noticed with Novak is he's been a little
tentative in his opening couple of games, and it's taken
(02:30):
him a while to get into his rhythm, and I
don't think he's going to be allowed that luxury today.
But saying that, I always remember seeing this when he
played an adult, and he knew that he couldn't do
that against the dolls, so he would come out firing,
and it's almost like a blessing in disguise because he
knows there's only one style of tennis that's going to work,
and that makes the decision making so easy for him.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
The best chance for our coroath to actually get over
top of Novak, where would that be besides having the younger,
fitter legs. Where else has he got an eight up
his sleeve?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I think his attacking prowess is unbelievable. I would like
to see him and I think it was the old
days when we were playing it was Chip in charge,
but now the saying is crush and rush on second
serves and intimidate the second serve of Novak. I think
he can get the odd double on a big point
off of it, or at the very least. I've seen
Novak throwing and a couple of very short second serves
(03:25):
that are so attackable, and Carlos does do that well.
I remember when he won the US Open. That was
something he was doing with great regularity. He has deviated
away from that, so I would like to see him
attacking novak second serve. And I think in the backhand
cross court exchanges, I don't think the depth has been
particularly good from Norvak this week. We used to see
(03:45):
him cluing that thing to within a foot of the baseline.
It hasn't been the case so far. So I do
think that the backhand of Novak could be a little susceptible.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
More blokes and action tomorrow. And this is a good
and well it is for the Aussie crowds that can
behave themselves from me, Kin when you sentat on Alex
teminor this has got a lot on it was it
one v eight, It.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Is and nine zero in the head to head, I believe.
But Sinner is obviously not one hundred percent. So we
only came to realize after the match. We saw him
having issues during the match, but that he had I
think gastric problems the night before. He didn't warm up,
he was vomiting, and he was also close to getting
beaten by Holga Runer. That epic breakpoint that he saved
(04:35):
in the third game of the third set, that was
the tipping point. So it's going to be fascinating as
to how Holga holds up Holga Yannick holds up. I
think Ven's being the best tennis of his career, and
if ever Sinner was right for the picking to beat
him for the first time, I think the setup is right.
Now playing at home in his home major, playing the
best tennis of his career, He's fresh. Cinner's not so fresh.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
And of course, Sir Robbie, we can't forget the woman's
draw as well. Underweight nine o'clock tonight in New Zealand
time you've got sable Anca number one seed taking on
on Pavla to Koba. This again has got a lot
of a lot of fun around that i'd expect.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
It is, and I think this match takes on even
more significance knowing that Coco Golf has lost Paula Vedosa
has come through in that section of the draw. So
I think both Pablo Chenkova and Zabelenka are going to
be thinking, you know, that they'd rather take on Vedosa
than Coco. But Pepla Chhenkova was, you know, she was
a prodigious junior. I think was twenty twenty one. She
(05:34):
made the finals of the French Open and came close
to winning the only major of her career. So she
is dangerous, she's fearless. But there is no doubt that
zabel Anka is the player to be the defending champion.
She's been there, she's done it now on the biggest
of stages, so the belief is there. I think it
would take a heck of an effort from Pablo Tchenkova
(05:55):
to get the better of the top seed.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
As long as neither of them look beyond this next match,
because there's nothing but trouble if you do that. One
last thing. Robbert kurdig All was a pleasure to have
you on the program. Novak Djokovic again surrounded on controversy.
Here's a lightning rod. He can't help himself. How much
of that is he going to take and put down
up against El Kharez? Is this going to be a
(06:18):
positive for him what he's dealing with right now? It
seems to be part of his routine, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Well, I'll I'll answer that question in two ways. Michael Jordan,
if you ever watched the Last Dance, he always looked
for things to fire him up on the biggest of games,
and that was always the theme for MJ who was
one of the best basketball players the sports I ever seen.
And perhaps just a little bit of fire as well
in the Billy is not going to do him any harm.
But I'll tell you what. The general consensus is that
(06:45):
Novak is bang on that Tony Jones was overstepped the
mark there, you know, I understand and you'll be aware
of this as well. Things happen off air. A microphone
that has been left on live when you when you
think you're off air and you say something I've misspoken
on air, when i think I've put off my on
air button and it has gone to air. Those things
(07:09):
I think people are more forgivable of. But when you
say stuff like that and you know you live, I
can tell you the general consensus is that there's not
a lot of sympathy for Tony Jones and what he said,
not only about Novak, but I think especially so about
the Serbian fans because they've been great fans over the years.
They've created great theater on that Center Courd. So I
(07:30):
think Novak's actually got a lot more support than people
might think.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
And who do you think the Aussie crowd will get behind?
Because they've caused a bit of a ruckus too. They
can't help themselves. Which way are they leaning?
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Well, it's going to be fascinating to see, I'm not sure.
I mean Carlos, he's such a great entertainer with the
shot making, so that automatically driples people in. But I
think people also respect Novak for taking a stance. He
is a very principal guy, and I think given what
happened a couple of years ago during the COVID, I
(08:01):
think people have come to realize just you know, he
was right about a lot of things, and you know,
he is a ten time champion after all, and I
hope it's respectful. I want it to be a quadron
where the crowd is just going ballistic for great tennis
and fingers crossed they both play well at the same
time because when they do, like we saw in Cincinnati,
(08:22):
it was one for the ages, probably the best three
set match I've ever seen. So let's add two more
sets to that and I'll tell you what, We'll all
be happy.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Like the touch paper stand. Well back, Robbie Kernig lead
a commentator for the Australian Open. He's got that game
this evening. Thanks so much for your time and expertise.
Always a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Right back at you, guys.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to news Talks.
They'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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