Quick Read
- Veteran journalist Tony Jones fell heavily during a live pickleball segment at the Australian Open.
- He appeared to injure his right knee, prompting immediate concern from co-hosts John Millman and Casey Dellacqua.
- The live broadcast abruptly cut to a commercial break after the fall.
- Jones returned to hosting duties shortly after, seated behind the desk.
- He humorously described pickleball as a ‘violent, violent sport’ and advised children not to play it.
MELBOURNE (Azat TV) – Veteran sports journalist Tony Jones sustained a noticeable fall and appeared to injure his knee during a live pickleball segment on Channel Nine’s Australian Open coverage Sunday morning, sparking immediate concern among his co-hosts and viewers. The incident, which led to an abrupt commercial break, highlights the unpredictable nature of live television sports entertainment, though Jones quickly recovered to continue his hosting duties with a humorous take on the ‘violent’ sport.
On-Court Tumble Halts Live Broadcast
The incident unfolded as the 64-year-old sports presenter was participating in a pickleball game alongside co-host and former tennis star John Millman. Jones, attempting a forehand shot, lost his footing and crashed heavily to the ground, landing squarely on his right knee. He immediately clutched his knee in obvious pain, while a white scuff mark was visibly left on the court where he had scraped. Millman exclaimed, ‘Oh s**t!’ as his co-host went down.
Fellow Channel Nine personalities and other participants on the court rushed to Jones’s aid, with former tennis star Casey Dellacqua quickly reaching his side. Nine commentator Peter Psaltis remarked, ‘Oh no, the knee’s gone,’ reflecting the palpable concern. Despite attempts by Dellacqua and Millman to help him up, Jones resisted, telling them, ‘Hang on,’ as he rolled onto his side, unable to stand independently. The broadcast then abruptly cut to a commercial break.
A Swift Return and Humorous Retrospective
When the show returned from the break, Jones was back in his familiar position behind the desk, continuing his hosting responsibilities. Co-host Jelena Dokic commended his resilience, saying, ‘TJ, great effort here.’ A surprised Jones replied, ‘Great effort?’ to which Dokic clarified, ‘Yeah, that was like a Boris Becker dodge, and you are OK, we’re confirming that, we’re getting you some ice. Great effort, got to say, do we like pickleball?’
Jones, in good spirits despite the fall, quipped, ‘No, not anymore I don’t. It’s a violent, violent sport. Kids, if you’re watching, never play pickleball.’ He later confirmed that the fall ‘did hurt’ but acknowledged that pickleball could be played safely by ‘all ages.’ He admitted, however, that his competitive nature might have gotten the better of him on court, telling Dokic, ‘You do tend to get a little competitive and that got a little too competitive.’ Nine reporter Sam McClure later commented that the fall ‘looked nasty,’ echoing the sentiment of many viewers.
Past Controversies and Live TV Moments
This on-air tumble is not the first time Tony Jones has garnered significant attention during the Australian Open. The veteran presenter, affectionately nicknamed ‘Chompers,’ made headlines globally at last year’s tournament for controversial comments directed at Novak Djokovic’s fans. During a live broadcast, Jones had claimed Djokovic was ‘overrated’ and a ‘has-been,’ appearing to reference the Serbian star’s deportation from Australia in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. He was heard saying, ‘Novak, kick him out…Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me’ while standing near a group of fans waving Serbian flags at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic subsequently branded Jones’s remarks as disrespectful and reportedly threatened to boycott interviews until he received a public apology. Both Channel Nine and Jones issued apologies to the former world No. 1, smoothing over the diplomatic incident. These events collectively underscore Jones’s tendency to create memorable, sometimes polarizing, moments during live sports broadcasts.
The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks in integrating live, unrehearsed physical segments into sports broadcasting, even as it highlights the resilience and quick wit required of veteran presenters like Tony Jones to navigate unexpected challenges on air.