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Tony Jones draws wrath of viewers

Awkward questions in a post-match interview light up social media.

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Nine’s Tony Jones has been lashed on social media for his interview with Naomi Osaka after her win in the Women’s Singles at the Australian Open.

After the 21 year old walked from Rod Laver Arena to the Channel 9 set with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup in hand Jones quipped that he was “not sure how you carried it all this way”.

As Osaka awkwardly searched for a response, he noted “there’s the smile”.

“I’m always smiling,” Osaka replied.

Asked how she planned to spend her $4.1 million prize winnings, he suggested “we would love you to pump that back into the economy.”

“Your grandparents back at Japan and you left Japan as three and you still regard yourself as a Japanese player,” he continued.

“It took a time for your grandparents that you and your sisters wanted to play tennis and they finally came on board.”

But Osaka was gracious throughout the interview, answering questions on her form with Jim Courier & Sam Smith.

https://twitter.com/VaaMuliagatele/status/1089130792712732672

https://twitter.com/nother_thing/status/1089129491333406721

https://twitter.com/RealKaceBox/status/1089135654813032450

It follows an awkward exchange on Today last week.

“I love walking around and hearing all the different accents, because so many people come from so many different parts of the world. It’s just like our own little Europe for two weeks here,” Jones said.

“Well, there’s a fair few people from Asia as well here,” Tom Steinfort pointed out.

“OK, there’s some Asians here as well, Tom,” Tony Jones said, after an awkward pause.

A spokesman for Channel 9 said: “It’s live television, on location.

“The conversation was warm and inclusive and a reflection of the international flavour of this wonderful global event.”

Source: Herald Sun, The Age

27 Responses

  4. I avoided the interview (and having dinner) between TJ and Osaka as the questions that he asked was out of bounds and he made several stupid phrases. This guy had limited knowledge of hosting the tennis.

  5. The perpetually outraged are at it again.
    He may be a poor interviewer, but it was painful watching her at the presentation. It is to be expected though, and in a couple of years she will be handling it like a veteran.
    Still a big improvement on what 7 offered.
    The MKR promos every 5 mins were sickening.
    Listening to Bruce prattle was mind blowing….’wasn’t it Jim’…..’isn’t it Jim’….hasn’t it Jim’
    Having some footballer unknown outside of Melbourne planted in the audience so Bruce or someone could breathlessly point him out as a cross promotion was also a bore.

    1. So many people forget it was actually ‘JA’ (John Alexander) and Jim Courier who called the big men’s matches for many years first, 2006 to 2010 I believe? Bruce didn’t get back into calling until 2011, he’d been doing hosting instead.

      But in 1990s/early 2000s before Jim, JA and Bruce took turns, we also had a younger Johnny McEnroe commentating for a period too!

    2. So do you think its an improvement when they focus on some silly item whilst the server is preparing to serve and then crossed back too late to see the serve. Do you think its an improvement when they use the camera behind the server at ground level for the entire point. I cant recall how many times these happened. Just a couple of examples of the worst coverage of the tennis for decades.

  6. I guess we have been used to seeing Jo Griggs or Bruce interviewing the winner over the years. Look I didn’t really mind the questions. I mean that comment about her carrying the trophy all that way was a tad insulting. He wouldn’t ask Rafa or Novak that. I can see why he asked how she would spend the money and Naomi handled it well because even she admits she doesnt like the whole public speaking thing.

  7. Another reason the tennis should go back to Channel 7. They cut away the trophy presentation of the women’s doubles where our girl Sam Stosur won the title. Disgraceful! Channel 7 wouldn’t do this.

  8. Personally I don’t really think Tony’s comments or questions were offensive, just awkward. He doesn’t have the personality or charisma for chats and interviews though. He should stick to presenting sports news only.

  9. Whilst we all know Channel 9 is a boys club, I really hope when the sad day comes that Peter Hitchener retires that they don’t automatically replace him with Tony Jones. He’s unwatchable when he replaces Hitch reading the news. Cringeworthy, crass comments that belong in a 1970’s locker room. It they’re the comments he’s making on camera, you can just imagine what sorts of things he says off camera. Would much rather see Hitch replaced with the likes of lovely Alicia Loxley or eye candy Dougal Beatty.

  10. Omg it was so awkward lol i was watching. He really doesnt come across likeable at all no idea why they put him on today. Have to say as well though Osaka is not easy to interview very dull indeed!

  12. Never a big fan of Tony Jones. It’s as if he has never grown up. Interested to see how he is going to be part of the Today Show when he lives in Melbourne and the show is from Sydney. It’s hard to create chemistry over a link. Perhaps he will move to Sydney!!
    Overexposed at the tennis being on the Today show then the evening tennis. Hopefully 9 has learnt a lot from their first year of tennis although the coverage by the host broadcaster was as good as ever.

  13. I said it when he was announced as part of the Today line-up and I’ll say it again. No-one thinks Tony Jones is as good as Tony Jones does. Why oh why he was given these gigs is beyond belief. He is waiting in the wings for Hitch to retire at 9-Melbourne and honestly believes he will become the number one newsreader and I can only hope the Sales people that are now running Nine actually appoint someone more likeable and capable in the job.

  14. This does not surprise me one bit. He’s always put his foot in his mouth and crossed the line into cringeworthy. I’ve never figured out if he does it on purpose or not. I haven’t been a fan since an incident in the early 2000s where he was clearly told not to do something and still did it. I’m genuinely surprised he hasn’t been banned by some sporting teams. For putting him in that role, those in charge at 9 are either stupid or looking for “any publicity”.

  15. I have never liked Tony Jones, can’t stand him.
    When he reads the News in place of Peter Hitchener I switch to Seven instead, that is how much I can’t stand him. Tony Jones belongs in the 1950s, can’t believe Nine now have him on the Today Show as well, a major mistake by whoever invited him on there.

  16. This is a non event – nothing wrong with TJ’s questions from what I’ve seen, just the usual overhyped beat up from the perpetually outraged Leftie, soy drinking, PC, SJW nitwits!

    1. Not sure what the criticism has to do with any of these names you’ve thrown out, other than you being outraged at other’s outrage? Relax.
      Didn’t see it at the time, did think when I watched it that 9 pretty much reaping what they sow when they have James Bracey available but decide to use Tony Jones. Yes, understand that as the sports reader for Today that 9 want to use TJ as much as possible but I don’t think interviewing is exactly where he belongs.

  17. Not sure why TJ is hosting the coverage of the AO finals when both James Bracey and Bec Maddern are both vastly better broadcasters than him. That said, none of them are up to the standards of Bruce!

          1. I don’t really know if age matters here. But I sort of get where you’re going. The James Bracey of Channel 7 (Hamish McLachlan) is in his 40s and has like a permanent 5 o clock shadow which perhaps exacerbates his age? LOL

  19. Het him off TV. The only decent value he provides is his reactions on the Sunday Footy Show when they play yet another awkward clip of him on the news going in to kiss Rebecca Judd who rejects it, pulling away.

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