A fuming Novak Djokovic said he will refuse any interviews with Australian Open host broadcaster Channel Nine until he receives an apology.

The 10-time champion advanced to the quarter-finals with a straight set win over Czech Jiri Lehecka on Sunday but declined to be interviewed on court by Jim Courier after the match, instead taking the microphone to briefly thank the fans.

It was initially believed he was upset by some members of the crowd, but the Serbian superstar revealed it was in protest of the behaviour of one of the Nine journalists, Tony Jones.

The veteran newsreader was doing a live broadcast from Melbourne Park on Friday night when a large group of Djokovic fans holding Serbian flags began cheering in the background behind him.

Jones sledged the fans, singing to them: “Novak, he’s overrated … Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out.”

While the comments were supposed to be a joke, he was widely slammed on social media.

Television presenter Tony Jones during a live cross at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open. Photo: AAP via AP/Mark Baker

Djokovic made a statement before the start of the press conference to explain his silent stance.

“A couple of days ago, a famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel Nine here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me.

“Since then, he chose not to issue any public apology, neither did Channel Nine, so since they are official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine.

“I have nothing against Jim Courier, neither the Australian public.

“It was a very awkward situation for me to face on the court today and it’s unfortunate.

“So I leave it to Channel Nine to handle this the way they think they see fit.”

Asked if this would be his ongoing position until he received an apology, Djokovic replied: “Yes, exactly”.

After the 37-year-old, who is gunning for a record 25th grand slam title, left Rod Laver Arena, he was seen talking with tournament director Craig Tiley.

He said he wanted to explain his stance and tell Tiley that he would accept a fine for not completing his media commitments.

“Exactly what I told you I told him because I haven’t seen him since that happened … I just wanted to make sure as I have a really nice relationship with Craig.

“So I just wanted to make sure that he knows where I stand and the reasons behind it.

“So I told him if you guys want to fine me for not giving an on-court interview, that’s OK, I’ll accept that because I feel like this is something that needs to be done and that’s all there is to it.”

Jones has issued an apology, and on Monday morning said he considered his comments “banter” or “humour” but that he has contacted Djokovic’s camp to apologise.

He said he did so as soon as he found out he had struck a nerve, which he said happened 48 hours ago.

“As I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak, if he felt any disrespect, which quite clearly he does,” Jones told Nine.

“Quite clearly that hasn’t been interpreted that way, so I do feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans.

“I’m not just saying this to try and wriggle out of trouble or anything. I genuinely feel for those fans. If I could turn back time … in hindsight, I think the one thing where I overstepped the mark and this is certainly what’s really sort of angered Novak Djokovic and his camp, is the last comment I made in that back and forth with the crowd: ‘Kick him out’.

“That has angered Novak, which I completely understand now. So look, it has been an unfortunate situation, it’s been one of personal angst for Novak. It’s quite clearly personal angst for me as well, but I just think the priority here now is to focus on the tennis again.”

Djokovic now prepares for a blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

With AAP