Tony Jones, a seasoned sports journalist, found himself at the center of concern among his colleagues during Channel Nine’s Australian Open coverage after enduring a significant fall on live television Sunday morning. The incident occurred while Jones was engaged in a friendly game of pickleball alongside his co-host, former tennis player John Millman.

In an attempt to return a shot, Jones shifted to his right for a forehand but unfortunately lost his balance. The misstep resulted in a forceful fall onto the court, with Jones landing heavily on his right knee. Immediately, he clutched his knee, indicating potential injury, as Millman reacted with an exclamation of surprise and concern.

The on-air mishap prompted immediate reactions from Jones’s co-stars and the other participants, all visibly worried about his condition. Casey Dellacqua, another former tennis player and co-host, quickly rushed to his aid, soon joined by Millman, to ensure he received the necessary support.

Nine’s commentator, Peter Psaltis, voiced the concern shared by many, stating, “Oh no, the knee’s gone,” as the scene unfolded. The incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of live sports coverage and the camaraderie among the broadcasting team.

‘Oh no, the knee’s gone,’ said Nine commentator Peter Psaltis.

Pictured: Tony Jones grabs his right knee after falling heavily on it during a game of pickleball on Channel Nine on Sunday morning

The sports presenter was in obvious pain as his co-host, former tennis star Casey Dellacqua (left), rushed to help him. The white mark on the court shows where Jones slammed into it

Dellacqua and another tennis star turned Nine presenter, John Millman (right), tried to help Jones to his feet, but he refused to be lifted up as Nine abruptly cut to an ad break

An obviously hurt Jones resisted attempts to help him to his feet, telling Dellacqua and one of the other pickleball players, ‘Hang on.’ 

Nine then abruptly cut to a commercial break as Jones rolled over on to the left side of his body, unable to stand under his own power.

When the show returned, Jones was seated behind the desk as he carried on with his hosting duties.

‘TJ, great effort here,’ Dokic said.

‘Great effort?’ a surprised Jones replied.

‘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?’ 

‘No, not anymore I don’t,’ Jones joked.

‘It’s a violent, violent sport. Kids, if you’re watching, never play pickleball.’

Jones (pictured) was in good spirits after the commercial break, joking that pickleball is a ‘violent, violent sport’

The 64-year-old made headlines for all the wrong reasons at last year’s Australian Open 

After clarifying that the fall ‘did hurt’ and that he believes the sport can be played safely by ‘all ages’, Jones admitted he might have taken things too far on the court.

‘You do tend to get a little competitive and that got a little too competitive,’ he told Dokic. 

Later on in the show, Nine reporter Sam McClure told Jones, ‘It looked nasty, I must say.’

When footage of the incident was shared on social media, several commenters joked about it getting a run once the Sunday Footy Show – which Jones also hosts – starts up ahead of the AFL season in March.

Jones – who has been nicknamed ‘Chompers’ – made headlines around the world for his behaviour at last year’s Australian Open.

The 64-year-old was forced to apologise to Novak Djokovic after he took offence to comments Jones made about his fans at the Australian Open.

Djokovic had said he would boycott interviews at the tournament until he received a public apology from Jones, who had claimed, during a live broadcast, that the former world No.1 was ‘overrated’ and appeared to reference how the Serbian was deported from Australia in 2021, due to the country’s Covid-19 restrictions.

Jones had been standing on a gantry at Melbourne Park when fans waving Serbian flags had gathered behind him.

He appeared to taunt the fans, saying: ‘Novak’s overrated. Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out…Boy, I’m glad they can’t hear me.’

Djokovic branded it disrespectful.

Both Nine and Jones issued apologies to Djokovic.