Channel 9 host Tony Jones has come under heavy fire for several cringeworthy comments during an awkward interview with newly crowned Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.
Osaka secured her second grand slam title with a 7-6 (2) 5-7 6-4 victory over Petra Kvitova in a high-quality final on Rod Laver Arena.
The 21-year-old, who will claim the world No.1 ranking on Monday, joined the Channel 9 team of Sam Smith, Jim Courier and Tony Jones for a post-match sit-down.
MORE: Australian Open women's final: Naomi Osaka wins title, gives hilarious victory speech |
Jones dominated the interview, asking the 21-year-old how she ‘managed to carry’ the trophy to the studio and how she planned to spend her prizemoney.
Naomi Osaka joins #9WWOS exclusively to chat after her victory. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/KcuWjy19J7
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 26, 2019
Fans were furious with Jones’ performance, which promptly went viral.
#9WWOS First there was the Serena incident and now the Tony Jones "I am an ill manared fool" interview from hell, just embarrassing mate. Next time leave it to the professionals at @Channel7 ! #ausopen
— Parahandy (@VitalSparkCapt) January 26, 2019
So in a five minute interview, Tony Jones quizzed the World No. 1, two-time Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka, on:
— Lachlan Kilby (@LachieKilby) January 26, 2019
- Shopping
- Smiling
- How she managed to carry the trophy
- "Regarding herself" as Japanese.
As if Channel Nine's coverage wasn't insulting enough... #ausopen
Tony Jones asking Osaka how she “managed to carry” her trophy all the way to the studio is ordinary.
— Darcy Vescio (@darcyvee) January 26, 2019
Tone, she could prob bench press you.#ausopen
Tony Jones has to really rethink his interview questions! Will you put money back into our economy? Seriously Tone #AustralianOpen
— 👛👚Pink Me👚👛 (@HashTagging101) January 26, 2019
Tony Jones really needs to fired for next year's AO. He took over the post match interview and I cringed the whole way through it.
— Vicki Mainard (@vmainard) January 26, 2019
📺 🎾 #AusOpen #9wwos
— Mr TV Australia (@MrTVAus) January 26, 2019
Maybe I’ve been a bit harsh (though not according to Twitter) ..
But Tony Jones’ wife when he arrives home:
“So hun, how did I go tonight ?”
👇 pic.twitter.com/npJkKs72AP
So embarrassing. Tony Jones completely undermined and devalued Naomi Osaka’s accomplishment in that train wreck of an interview. Lucky he was carried by Jim Courier & Sam Smith who are all class.#AustralianOpen2019 @Channel9
— John Hibble (@Hibblej) January 26, 2019
Tony Jones just makes every moment awkward
— Tim Mitchell (@thmitchell90) January 26, 2019
Jones made another gaffe shortly after when he referred to the mixed singles – not mixed doubles – final.
Just when you think Tony Jones can’t get any more foolish, he gives us this #ausopen pic.twitter.com/GoNacZy5bO
— Kris Bundled Out (@DesignedToFade) January 26, 2019
