A sports journalist has been stood down after making comments on Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková’s appearance.
Jon Wertheim appeared on Tennis Channel during the coverage of the WTA Finals last week, where world number 13 Czech tennis player Barbora Krejčíková was competing in the semi-final match against Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen.
Wertheim was unaware he was on air when he proceeded to make a comment about Krejčíková’s forehead.
The incident was met with significant backlash on social media, prompting Tennis Channel to take Wertheim off air indefinitely, according to reports.
In a statement to Reuters, Tennis Channel said they have since reached out to Krejčíková to apologise.
“Tennis Channel holds its employees to a standard of respectfulness for others at all times, a standard that was not met in this moment,” the statement reads.
Posting on social media, Wertheim said he “deeply” regretted the comments and has also sent his apologise to Krejčíková.
“During a Tennis Channel studio show on Friday, I made some deeply regrettable comments off-air,” Wertheim said.
“I acknowledge them. I apologise for them. I reached out immediately and apologised to the player.
“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.”
Krejčíková, the two-time grand slam champion who won Wimbledon this year, responded to the incident in a thread posted on X.
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 (cont.)
— Barbora Krejcikova (@BKrejcikova) November 10, 2024
“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,” Krejčíková said.
“As an athlete who has dedicated herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see this type of unprofessional commentary.”
Krejčíková acknowledged that this isn’t the first time a woman athlete has been exposed to “something like this”. Indeed, women are constantly sexualised in sport, especially by commentators and sports journalists.
“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,” Krejčíková said.
“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.”