Tony Jones, a well-known sports journalist for Channel Nine, sparked concern among his Australian Open co-workers after he suffered a significant fall during a live broadcast on Sunday morning. The incident unfolded while Jones was engaged in a game of pickleball alongside his co-host, former tennis pro John Millman.

While attempting a forehand shot, Jones lost his balance and took a hard fall on the court, hitting the ground with a thud. He immediately clutched his right knee, prompting Millman to react with an audible exclamation of concern. The sudden mishap left Jones struggling to rise, clearly in discomfort.

The live segment quickly shifted focus as fellow Channel Nine personalities and the rest of the pickleball players gathered around Jones, visibly worried about his condition. Among the first to offer assistance was Casey Dellacqua, another co-host and former tennis star, who was soon joined by Millman in checking on Jones’s wellbeing.

From the commentary booth, Peter Psaltis voiced the growing concern, remarking, “Oh no, the knee’s gone,” as the situation unfolded. Despite the visible pain, Jones hesitated to accept help, instructing Dellacqua and another player to hold on as he assessed his injury.

‘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.