Journalist apologizes after making ‘deeply regrettable’ comments about Barbora Krejcikova’s physical ‘appearance’
Barbora Krejcikova had censured journalist Jon Wertheim for his 'unprofessional commentary' on Tennis Channel.
Follow Us
Barbora Krejcikova (Image via X)
Barbora Krejcikova was disappointed after learning a journalist on Tennis Channel made a remark on her physical appearance. That journalist Jon Wertheim took to X to apologize to the tennis player.
Wertheim made that comment during Krejcikova’s campaign at the WTA Finals. Krejcikova expressed her disappointment over such ‘unprofessional commentary‘ and did not hold herself back from calling Wertheim out.
Here’s what she wrote 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
Wertheim, while apologizing to Krejcikova, blamed the camera angle for exaggerating her forehead. He also blamed himself for being ‘neither professional nor charitable’.
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.
Jon Wertheim wrote on X
Check out his post here:
A tennis twitter apology: pic.twitter.com/HT81C2CLeQ
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) November 10, 2024
After his apology, fans on social media were still not ready to forgive him so they asked him to resign from Tennis Channel. While some fans thought it was the most harmless joke ever.
Here’s what exactly Jon Wertheim said about Barbora Krejcikova
On Tennis Channel, Jon Wertheim was with Steve Weissman and Tracy Austin and they were discussing Krejcikova’s semifinal match against Qinwen Zheng. During that show, Wertheim called Krejcikova’s forehead an ‘eighthead’ and it was aired accidentally. It sparked a huge controversy, prompting fans to censure him.
Who do you think I am? Barbora Krejcikova? Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court. Eighthead.
Jon Wertheim said on air
Check out the video:
This is unbelievable footage of @jon_wertheim mocking the appearance of @BKrejcikova whilst off camera for the @TennisChannel
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) November 9, 2024
Jon needs to apologise here. pic.twitter.com/0giHgavPEJ
Krejcikova lost the semifinal match against Zheng and was eliminated from the tournament. En route to her first WTA Finals singles semifinals, she lost to Iga Swiatek but booked a spot in the last four after her win over Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff. Her win over eventual champion Gauff also knocked out Swiatek who entered the tournament as a defending champion.
Krejcikova has won just one singles title this season. She defeated Jasmine Paolini to win her second singles Grand Slam trophy, at Wimbledon.
Although the 28-year-old reached her first semifinal in singles in the year-end championships, she has won the title in doubles once. She had paired up with Katerina Siniakova and they defeated the team of Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Mertens in the final in 2021.
Stay Updated!
Gouri Das
(4753 Articles Published)