Seven News Melbourne anchors Mike Amor and Rebecca Maddern were heard abusing Novak Djokovic off-air. The anchors referred to him as a "lying, sneaky a**hole" unaware of the fact that they are still being recorded. The foul language was apparently in reference to the Serbian tennis star making an alleged false declaration about his travel history before arriving in Australia.
In the off-air conversation which was leaked online, the Seven News presenters were heard criticising Djokovic while sitting in the studio.
"Whatever way you look at it, Novak Djokovic is a lying sneaky a***hole," Maddern said.
"He got a bullshit f***ing excuse and then fell over his own f***ing lies. It's just what happens, right, that's what happened," her colleague Mike Amor responded. "And then, he now then ticking he didn't go to Spain," Maddern said in reply.
According to Daily Mail, Craig McPherson, Seven Network Director of News and Public Affairs, said that there will be an investigation to find the person responsible for leaking the video online. Meanwhile, Maddern has apologised to her bosses for using foul language.
The 34-year-old Serb found himself at the center of controversy after arriving in Australia on January 5, carrying a medical exemption from vaccination due to a positive Covid-19 test on December 16 last year. After overnight questioning at Melbourne airport, border officials decided the exemption was not valid, cancelled his visa and transferred him to detention. The visa cancellation was overturned in court on Monday (January 10).
Djokovic has conceded he submitted a false declaration to the Australian government about his travel history between flying to Melbourne, blaming it on his agent.
"On the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf," Djokovic said on Instagram.
"My agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia," he said, calling it "human error".
Djokovic has won the Australian Open nine times, including the last three events, but his hopes of defending the title and winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title were in danger as his visa was on the verge of being cancelled by the Australian government.
