A viral clip insulting Barbora Krejcikova’s body appearance got to the Czech tennis star and she called out a Tennis Channel journalist over “a disappointing” remark.
On Friday, the reigning Wimbledon champion saw her campaign at the WTA Finals come to an end following a 3-6 5-7 loss to Zheng Qinwen. A day later, someone noticed one moment that happened in Tennis Channel’s studio just before the match started.
Apparently, Jon Wertheim wasn’t aware that he was on air when he was caught saying: “Who do you think I am? Barbora Krejcikova? Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court.”
Jon Wertheim insults Barbora Krejcikova by making fun of her appearance on live TV@Olly_Tennis_ @josemorgado @Welovetennis @BenoitMaylin
Are you going to talk about it?
As journalists, do you think it’s appropriate?pic.twitter.com/uBoxMGld9k
— Dan Gernez (@GernezDan) November 9, 2024
The footage of the moment was posted on X and it didn’t take long before it started making rounds. To no one’s surprise, the two-time Grand Slam champion was made aware of it.
After listening to herself and realizing that a journalist made fun of her body appearance, Krejcikova ripped it as “disappointing” and “unprofessional commentary.”
“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 commentary,” the 28-year-old 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
Krejcikova: This isn’t the first time…
According to the former world No. 2, there were similar cases in the past but she simply declined to publicly address them. But this time, she presumably felt that this particular comment went too far and didn’t want to stay silent about it.
“This isn’t the first time something like this is happening in sports world. 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. 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 honors the commitment we make to compete at this level,” Krejcikova added.
3/3
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 honors the commitment we make to compete at this level.— Barbora Krejcikova (@BKrejcikova) November 10, 2024
Following the incident, many came to the Czech’s defense while some also called for Wertheim to be sacked.
It was quite a WTA Finals campaign for Krejcikova
If you didn’t know, the 28-year-old booked a place in Riyadh in a unique way because of a new WTA rule. Even though she finished 13th on the Race to Riyadh, she won a Grand Slam this year and also finished between 9-20.
And in her first match in Saudi Arabia, Krejcikova nearly stunned five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek. But after being all over the Pole and leading by a set and a double break, the 2024 Wimbledon champion didn’t manage to keep up with the same intensity and the Polish star came back to win 4-6 7-5 7-2.
Afterward, Swiatek acknowledged that she was in real trouble.
“It wasn’t easy. At the start I felt rusty but I’m happy I found a way to play more solid. I didn’t feel great at the beginning. Barbora used that. The score went her way quickly. I knew it was tight even in the first set. I had my chances. I just wanted to use them next time.. I hear it (crowd support) for sure. I missed that. In tough moments today when I heard you guys screaming it helped me. Thank you guys for the support and for cheering.. even though at the beginning my game wasn’t so nice, you guys still believed,” the Pole said.
But after losing to Swiatek, Krejcikova bounced back with wins over Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff – and she ended up reaching the semifinal and sending the Pole home.
“Well I was definitely super excited to be here, to come here, to qualify to play against the best ones, I don’t really know where everything started to come together. Before the tournament, I had a couple of days where we hit lightly and already during those hits, I felt quite good. And I think definitely for me, it’s a big thing that it’s the last tournament of the season,” the Czech said after beating Gauff to secure her first semifinal at the season-ending tournament.
Unfortunately for Krejcikova, she didn’t manage to cap off her campaign with a maiden WTA Finals title after losing to Zheng in two sets in the last-four stage.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
