Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova criticised a journalist’s “unprofessional commentary” after he made a comment about her look on air.
Throughout a Tennis Channel broadcast on Friday, Jon Wertheim commented on the Czech world quantity 13’s brow.
Krejcikova was competing on the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the place she was knocked out within the semi-finals by eventual runner-up Zheng Qinwen.
Wertheim mentioned his feedback have been “deeply regrettable” and that he apologised to Krejcikova.
Tennis Channel has eliminated him from air “indefinitely”.
“You might need heard concerning the latest feedback made on Tennis Channel throughout the WTA Finals protection that centered on my look reasonably than my efficiency,” 28-year-old Krejcikova posted on X., exterior
“As an athlete who has devoted herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see the sort of unprofessional commentary.
“This is not the primary time one thing like that is occurring in [the] sports activities world. I’ve usually chosen to not communicate up, however I imagine it is time to deal with the necessity for respect and professionalism in sports activities media.
“These moments distract from the true essence of sport and the dedication all athletes carry to the sphere.
“I like tennis deeply, and I wish to see it represented in a manner that honors the dedication we make to compete at this stage.”
In an announcement on Sunday, Wertheim mentioned he made the feedback in a rehearsal that was “inadvertently” broadcast.
“Throughout a Tennis Channel studio present on Friday, I made some deeply regrettable feedback off-air. I acknowledge them. I apologise for them. I reached out instantly and apologised to the participant,” he mentioned on X, exterior.
“What occurred? I joined the present by Zoom. In rehearsal we have been proven a graphic of a participant who had simply competed. It confirmed her at an angle that exaggerated her brow.
“A couple of moments later, I used to be informed to border up my Zoom. I regarded on the low digital camera angle and joked that it made my brow resemble the photograph of the participant in query. Somebody within the management room chimed in and I bantered again. Although this was a personal rehearsal, this change inadvertently, and with out context, made it to stay air.
“I realise: I’m not the sufferer right here. It was neither skilled nor charitable nor reflective of the individual I attempt to be. I’m accountable. I personal this. I’m sorry.”
In an announcement to BBC Sport, Tennis Channel mentioned: “When Tennis Channel turned conscious of an inappropriate remark a few skilled tennis participant made by our analyst Jon Wertheim on Friday, we instantly eliminated him from our air indefinitely.
“The community additionally apologised to the participant, Barbora Krejcikova, as did Jon. Jon has devoted his profession to shining a light-weight on and rising this sport and has been a valued member of our household and the tennis neighborhood.
“That mentioned, Tennis Channel holds its staff to a normal of respectfulness for others always, a normal that was not met on this second.”
