Novak Djokovic storm erupts at Australian Open as tennis great sparks controversy

Serbian media outlets and Novak Djokovic's fans have been left outraged as another Australian Open storm threatens to break out. The 24-time Grand Slam winner progressed into the second round of the major after a straight-sets win over Pedro Martinez.

However, Channel 9 commentator and Aussie tennis great Wally Masur has found himself in the midst of fury after a throwaway comment angered supporters during the first round triumph. The 1987 Australian Open semi-finalist joked that the only way that the Spanish tennis player could stun the former world number one would be if the Serbian suffered an injury to himself. He said: "I think that's Pedro's biggest chance if Novak just tears an adductor on one of those slides. It might be just what he needs."

Nova TV, a media organisation from Serbia, were left stunned by the comments. They said: "A shameful comment about Djokovic in a live feed. Is it possible that a commentator is saying this?" While Mondo reported the incident as "a famous tennis player's live feed scandal" and another outlet said the controversy was "catastrophic".

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Meanwhile, one user on X described the comment as "disgusting". It follows on from the controversy that was sparked during last year's tournament when Tony Jones, also of Channel 9, made a series of remarks about Djokovic.

Responding to a group of fans who had congregated by the broadcaster's tent, Jones said: "Novak is overrated, Novak's a has-been, Novak kick him out". But he was later forced to apologise.

"I can stand by that apology to Novak," he said. "I should also say the disrespect was extended, in many ways, to the Serbian fans.

"We have built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans, and there was banter, and I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that has not been interpreted that way.

"I feel as though I've let down the Serbian fans. That has angered Novak which I completely understand now. It has been an unfortunate situation, it has been one of personal angst for Novak, it's quite clearly personal angst for me as well."

Djokovic has yet to acknowledge the comment but will return to the Rod Laver Arena to take on 23-year-old Italian Francesco Maestrelli in the second round on Thursday.