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Djokovic breezed past No.24 seed Lehecka 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to equal Roger Federer’s record of reaching 15 men’s singles quarter-finals at the hard-court Major and set up a quarter-final clash with No.3 seed Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic took to his own social media channels to explain why he had chosen not to speak to Jim Courier on court after the win, a customary practice for match winners at the Australian Open.

"I just wanted to make sure I clarified what happened," he said to his phone from the players' tunnel immediately after leaving the court.

"The reason why I chose not to do that [interview] was because a few days ago a famous sports journalist here from Australia, who works for a main broadcaster of the Australian Open for Channel Nine, decided to mock Serbian fans and he made insulting and offensive comments towards me.

"I was hoping he's going to apologise in public, which he hasn't done that yet, neither did Channel Nine. So that's the only reason why I didn't do the interview."

The journalist in question is Tony Jones, whose behaviour was widely criticised after he clapped back at Serbian fans during a live broadcast from Melbourne Park on Channel Nine, calling Djokovic "overrated" and a "has-been".

On Monday morning, Jones claimed he had reached out to Djokovic's camp to apologise as soon as he found out he had struck a nerve some 48 hours ago.

Describing the comments a "banter", Jones added: "As I stand here now, I stand by that apology to Novak, if he felt any disrespect, which quite clearly he does.

"Quite clearly that hasn't been interpreted that way, so I do feel as though I've let down the Serbian fans.

"I'm not just saying this to try and wriggle out of trouble or anything. I genuinely feel for those fans. If I could turn back time … in hindsight, I think the one thing where I overstepped the mark and this is certainly what's really sort of angered Novak Djokovic and his camp, is the last comment I made in that back and forth with the crowd: 'Kick him out'.

"That has angered Novak, which I completely understand now. So look, it has been an unfortunate situation, it's been one of personal angst for Novak. It's quite clearly personal angst for me as well, but I just think the priority here now is to focus on the tennis again."

Djokovic, who appears to want an in-person apology from Jones, also seems ready to repeat his protest should he win against Alcaraz, who made it through to the last eight after his British opponent and No.15 seed Jack Draper retired with injury after losing the first two sets of their encounter.

having apologised to the fans inside Rod Laver Arena and those watching on television, Djokovic added: "I have to stand by my decision and hold this stance until something is done, so I leave it to Channel Nine and hopefully that situation will change for the next match."

Djokovic will play Alcaraz on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals, a stage the 21-year-old Spaniard has yet to reach at Melbourne Park.