Tennis commentator taken off air for mocking Wimbledon champion’s looks when he thought he wouldn’t be heard
Both the player and the commentator have had their say on the matter
WIMBLEDON champion Barbora Krejcikova hit out after the size of her FOREHEAD was mocked on TV by a commentator who has now been taken off air.
Derogatory comments were made about her face by prominent American journalist Jon Wertheim on the Tennis Channel as she lost to China’s Qinwen Zheng in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Unaware he was on air as he mucked around with the camera and his Zoom picture, Wertheim, 53, said: “Who do you think I am? Barbora Krejcikova?
“Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court.”
The Czech ace, 28, said: “You might have heard about the recent comments made on Tennis Channel during the WTA Finals coverage that focused on my appearance rather than my performance.
“As an athlete who has dedicated herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see this type of unprofessional commentary.
“This isn’t the first time something like this is happening in the sports world.
“I’ve often chosen not to speak up, but I believe it’s time to address the need for respect and professionalism in sports media.
“These moments distract from the true essence of sport and the dedication all athletes bring to the field.
“I love tennis deeply, and I want to see it represented in a way that honours the commitment we make to compete at this level.”
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Wertheaim has nw been taken off air. A statement issued tonight by the Tennis Channel said: “When Tennis Channel became aware of an inappropriate comment about a professional tennis player made by our analyst Jon Wertheim on Friday, we immediately removed him from our air indefinitely.
“The network also apologised to the player, Barbora Krejcikova, as did Jon.
“Jon has dedicated his career to shining a light on and growing this sport and has been a valued member of our family and the tennis community.
“That said, Tennis Channel holds its employees to a standard of respectfulness for others at all times, a standard that was not met in this moment.”
Wertheim spoke out when the footage emerged, apologising for his comments while attempting to provide context to the clip.
He wrote on X: “During a Tennis Channel studio show on Friday, I made some deeply regrettable comments off-air.
“I acknowledge them. I apologise for them. I reached out immediately and apologised to the player.
“What happened? I joined the show by Zoom. In rehearsal we were shown a graphic of a player who had just competed. It showed her at an angle that exaggerated her forehead.
“A few moments later, I was told to frame up my Zoom. I looked at the low camera angle and joked that it made my forehead resemble the photo of the player in question. Someone in the control room chimed in and I bantered back.
“Though this was a private rehearsal, this exchange inadvertently and without context, made it to live air. I realise: I am not the victim here. It was neither professional nor charitable nor reflective of the person I strive to be. I am accountable. I own this. I am sorry.”
