Djokovic apologises for AFL mix-up at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic apologised to Australian journalists after mistakenly identifying Essendon when discussing the nearby Australian Football League (AFL) club during his post-match press conference at the Australian Open, reports BritPanorama.
Following his progression to the third round as the fourth seed, Djokovic was corrected by journalists who noted that the team associated with the facilities near Melbourne Park was actually Collingwood. “Collingwood. Sorry, my bad. I know there’s a big rivalry. I apologise,” he stated upon realising his mistake.
This year’s Australian Open has attracted record crowds, with over 100,000 spectators attending during the early days of the tournament. Djokovic, a fixture at the event since 2005, reflected on the significant changes he has witnessed at the venue over the years.
His initial appearance in Australia was in 2003 for a junior event. Recalling earlier experiences, Djokovic noted using “Gym B,” located across from the tennis complex, when he misidentified the AFL club’s facilities.
Collingwood, which has a historic rivalry with Essendon, plays its home matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground nearby and trains at Gosch’s Paddock. This rivalry began in 1995 with the Anzac Day clash, commemorating Australian and New Zealand service personnel.
Djokovic expressed admiration for the ongoing developments of the Australian Open, commending its continuous improvement to enhance player experience and facilities. “I like when the tournament is nurturing a mindset of always wanting to improve and get better in terms of facility, providing better conditions for players to practice, play, recover,” he remarked.
The Serbian also highlighted expansions like the National Tennis Centre, new practice facilities, upgraded recovery options, and improved dining for players. “I think Australia has always been one of the best in that. So I don’t see any negatives there,” he concluded, acknowledging the challenge of managing the large crowds attending the venue.
Djokovic’s first victory in Australia dates back to 2008, and since then, he has claimed multiple titles, with his most recent victory in 2023. His performance this year keeps the question open of whether he can secure yet another title in Melbourne.
