wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has expressed dismay at “unprofessional comments” after a prominent American tennis journalist mocked his appearance during television coverage.
Apparently unaware that she was on the air, Jon Wertheim said of Krejcikova on the US network Tennis Channel: “Who do you think I am? Barbora Krejcikova? Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court.”
Krejcikova participated in the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia this week, the culmination of the women’s regular season, where she lost to Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals on Friday.
The clip quickly circulated on social media, prompting the Czech to write on in my performance.
“As an athlete who has dedicated himself to this sport, it was disappointing to see these types of unprofessional comments. It is not the first time that something like this happens in the world of sports. “Many times I have chosen not to speak, but I believe it is time to address the need for respect and professionalism in sports media.”
You may have heard of recent comments made on Tennis Channel during coverage of the WTA Finals that focused on my appearance rather than my performance. As an athlete who has dedicated himself to this sport, it was disappointing to see these types of unprofessional people (cont.)
– Barbora Krejcikova (@BKrejcikova) November 10, 2024
It is not the first time that a broadcaster has been criticized for comments made about a tennis player’s appearance. In 2013, the BBC apologized after the presenter John Inverdale said about French player Marion Bartoli after winning Wimbledon: “Do you think Bartoli’s father told her when she was little: ‘You will never be a beauty, you will never be a (Maria) Sharapova, so you have to be feisty and fight’?”
Wertheim later posted an apology that read: “During a Tennis Channel studio show on Friday, I made some deeply regrettable off-air comments. I recognize them. I apologize for them. I immediately approached him and apologized to the player.
“What happened? I joined the program via Zoom. At rehearsal we were shown a graphic of a player who had just competed. It showed her at an angle that exaggerated his forehead. A few moments later, I was told to frame my Zoom. I looked the camera angle and I joked that it made my forehead look like the photo of the player in question. Someone in the control room intervened and I jokingly responded. Although it was a private rehearsal, this exchange, inadvertently. and without context, it came out air.
“I realize: I am not the victim here. It was neither professional nor charitable nor did it reflect the person I strive to be. I am responsible. I own this. I’m sorry.”
Krejcikova finished outside the top eight in the world rankings, but was given a spot in the WTA Finals as a Grand Slam champion.
He received hundreds of messages of support from tennis fans after posting in response to Wertheim’s comments: “These moments distract from the true essence of the sport and the dedication that all athletes bring to the field. “I deeply love tennis and want to see it represented in a way that honors the commitment we make to compete at this level.”
New insult shows sport hasn’t learned from Inverdale’s crude comments about Bartoli
As one of the most reserved players on the women’s circuit, Barbora Krejcikova has never been the center of attention. However, the two-time Grand Slam champion found her voice after prominent American commentator Jon Wertheim mocked her and Zheng Qinwen for the size of their foreheads during Tennis Channel’s coverage of the WTA Finals. .
The Wimbledon champion felt compelled to speak out after Wertheim, unaware that cameras were rolling in the studio, ridiculed both players’ appearances in a hot mic blunder that left presenters in the studio red-faced. .
“What do you think I am? Barbora Krejcikova? Wertheim was heard asking. “Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court.”
The comment did not sit well with Krejcikova who, calling for “respect and professionalism” from the media in a lengthy statement about ”. .
Wertheim’s clumsy, sexist jibe, which he made while thinking he was off-air after cameras briefly returned to the studio during coverage of a WTA Finals doubles match, had echoes of the time John Inverdale infamously mocked the Marion Bartoli’s physique in 2013 after the Frenchwoman won. Wimbledon.
Inverdale’s dinosaur comments – that Bartoli was “never going to be hot” – sparked a furore and led the BBC to issue a sincere apology. He never experienced the incident during his last years in the corporation.
Men are still clearly concerned about the appearance of female players
It was an unnecessary and embarrassing moment that should have served as a wake-up call to other tennis broadcasters, a sport that claims to be the most gender equal despite occasional programming hiccups at the Grand Slams.
But nearly a decade later, men are still clearly concerned with how female players look, rather than instinctively appreciating their athletic ability. It also confirms how, despite the high profile that women’s sport now enjoys, female bodies are still unnecessarily policed, while their male counterparts are routinely glorified.
No one ridicules Jack Grealish for having huge calves, which are revered as his own super strength. Similarly, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya practically marvels superhumanly at his giant hands. However, for women, their bodies and appearances are viewed through a negative prism every time they enter the sporting arena.
Wertheim’s own mistake occurs just three months later Eurosport eliminated Bob Ballard from her commentary team at the Paris Olympics after she made a sexist comment about Australia’s swimmers, saying the 4x100m freestyle team was “hanging around, putting on makeup” after winning gold.
Last week, a commentator came under fire for his sexist comments after saying lioness Ella Toone had a “face like a slapped arse” after the Manchester United midfielder was substituted in her team’s Women’s Super League clash against the Arsenal.
Criticizing Krejcikova and Zheng’s appearance, Wertheim’s comments had shades of those who regularly attacked former British Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington over the size of her nose.
As a seasoned expert in her field, she should have known better, but this latest incident is a painful reminder of how women have to work twice as hard to earn the same level of respect as their male counterparts.