After making fun of Czech player Barbora Krejcikova's physique, Jon Wertheim was “removed indefinitely” from the Tennis Channel, reports The Independent.
Tennis Channel was quick to crack down. Author of derogatory comments about the physique of Czech player Barbora Krejcikova, journalist Jon Wertheim was fired, reports The Independent this Tuesday.
In a sequence widely relayed on social networks, the Tennis Channel journalist, without knowing that he was on the air, was ironic about a camera angle which, according to him, did not highlight him. “Who do you take me for? Barbora Krejcikova? Look at Krejcikova’s forehead,” he said.
Krejcikova expressed her fed up
Made aware of these comments, the Czech, winner of Roland-Garros in 2021 and Wimbledon in 2024, expressed her fed up with X. “You may have heard about the recent comments made on Tennis Channel during coverage of the WTA Finals, which focused on my appearance rather than my performance,” lamented Krejcikova. “As an athlete who has dedicated herself to this sport, I was disappointed to see these types of unprofessional comments. This is not the first time such a thing has happened in the world of sport. I have often chosen not to speak out, but I think it is time to address the issue of respect and professionalism in sports media.”
Faced with the controversy, Jon Wertheim quickly apologized. “I was told to frame my video. I looked at the low angle of the camera and joked that my forehead looked like the photo of the player in question,” he explained. “Although this was a private rehearsal, this exchange was inadvertently broadcast live without context. I am not the victim here. It was neither professional, nor charitable, nor representative of the person that I strive to be. I am responsible.
France
Tennis
