Roger Federer cops backlash over message to Alan Jones

Roger Federer has sparked an angry response from fans after sending a congratulatory message to Alan Jones after he announced his retirement.

Sydney’s top radio broadcaster announced his retirement two weeks ago due to medical advice, with figures across the political divide paying tribute.

Jones, 79, made the announcement live on air during his 2GB breakfast radio program.

“I guess after 35 years the full stop has to go in somewhere,” Jones said.

Among the many high-profile figures to send Jones messages of congratulations was tennis legend Federer.

Earlier this week Sky News played a video message from Federer to Jones.

“Alan, it’s Roger here. I wanted to wish you the best for what’s to come and congratulations on an incredible 35-year career in the media,” Federer said in the video.

“Take care of yourself and all the best.”

Jones described the shout-out as “a delightful surprise”.

“I am very overwhelmed by the messages of support prior to my last day on the radio,” he said.

However tennis fans and commentators couldn’t believe Federer had publicly offered his support for Jones after the shock jock’s many controversies over the years.

Jones outraged many with his vitriolic attacks on powerful women, including former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Opera House chief executive Louise Herron and, most recently, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Advertisers fled the station after Jones suggested Scott Morrison “shove a sock down her (Ms Ardern’s) throat” over her views on climate change in 2019.

ACMA recently announced that Jones’ comments breached decency standards and was made to issue an on-air correction after he made “inaccurate” claims on climate change.

Roger Federer cops backlash over message to Alan Jones

Sam Goodwin
Sports Editor
Yahoo Sport Australia27 May 2020, 4:00 pm
Roger Federer and Alan Jones, pictured here earlier in their careers.
Roger Federer sent a message of congratulations to Alan Jones. Image: Getty
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Roger Federer has sparked an angry response from fans after sending a congratulatory message to Alan Jones after he announced his retirement.

Sydney’s top radio broadcaster announced his retirement two weeks ago due to medical advice, with figures across the political divide paying tribute.

Jones, 79, made the announcement live on air during his 2GB breakfast radio program.

“I guess after 35 years the full stop has to go in somewhere,” Jones said.

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Among the many high-profile figures to send Jones messages of congratulations was tennis legend Federer.

Earlier this week Sky News played a video message from Federer to Jones.

“Alan, it’s Roger here. I wanted to wish you the best for what’s to come and congratulations on an incredible 35-year career in the media,” Federer said in the video.

“Take care of yourself and all the best.”

Jones described the shout-out as “a delightful surprise”.

“I am very overwhelmed by the messages of support prior to my last day on the radio,” he said.

Fans slam Federer over Alan Jones message
However tennis fans and commentators couldn’t believe Federer had publicly offered his support for Jones after the shock jock’s many controversies over the years.

Jones outraged many with his vitriolic attacks on powerful women, including former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Opera House chief executive Louise Herron and, most recently, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Advertisers fled the station after Jones suggested Scott Morrison “shove a sock down her (Ms Ardern’s) throat” over her views on climate change in 2019.

ACMA recently announced that Jones’ comments breached decency standards and was made to issue an on-air correction after he made “inaccurate” claims on climate change.

ACMA said these included an incorrect assertion that biomass, a renewable, was a fossil fuel and the incorrect presentation of figures relating to Australia and New Zealand’s percentage of energy use from solar and wind.

So Federer’s message to Jones sparked an angry response online.

Why is Roger Federer sending a congratulations retirement message to Alan Jones ? Yukhttps://t.co/eBw2Gc7rQs

— Susan Metcalfe (@susanamet) May 26, 2020

Evolution GS winners, hope you like 🙂https://t.co/ZQ4R7GG8nF

— Sports Graphs (@Sports_Graphs) May 27, 2020

I’d never heard of Alan Jones, but this is an impressive bit of internet scrubbing on Federer’s behalf after he’d made a retirement video message for a guy who seems to be a sort of Australian Rush Limbaugh, roughly. https://t.co/GVBa4s6l4y

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 27, 2020

Suspect a sponsor got in touch and was like "errr do you know who he is???"

— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) May 27, 2020

Roger Federer's farewell message for Alan Jones sparks outrage
hasn't gone down well with his fans, mainly because of Jones' history.
Usain Bolt has also come under criticism for a similar gaffe.https://t.co/tVWLhzGKPJ

— C Kristjánsdóttir ●? (@CristinaNcl) May 27, 2020

Writing this up into a post and finding write-ups of my tweets when I'm investigating further lines of evidence…(post should be ready soon ish, no spoilers!)https://t.co/oW7hzWeTHK

— Ketan Joshi (@KetanJ0) May 27, 2020