Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has criticized a tennis analyst for his surprising error on the US TV network Tennis Channel over her physical appearance.
Last week, Krejcikova participated in the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, where she lost to Zheng Qinwen on Friday in the semifinals.
You think I’m Barbora Krejcikova? “I said.”
“Observe the forehead when Zheng and Krejcikova enter the courtroom.”
After the video went viral on social media, Krejcikova responded by urging the media to treat her with professionalism and decency.
Krejcikova wrote on social media, “As an athlete who has devoted herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see this type of unprofessional commentary.”
This is hardly the first instance of this kind of thing occurring in [the] sports world. Although I’ve tended to keep quiet, I think it’s time to emphasize the need for professionalism and respect in sports journalism.
These incidents take attention away from the real spirit of sports and the commitment that every athlete has to the field. I have a strong passion for tennis, and I want it to be portrayed in a way that respects the dedication we put into competing at this level.
Wertheim apologized to the tennis player on social media on Sunday, stating that his comment was “neither charitable nor professional nor reflective of the person I strive to be.”
“I made some extremely regrettable remarks off-air during a Tennis Channel studio show on Friday,” he wrote on X. “I acknowledge them.” I’m sorry about them. I contacted the player right away and expressed my regret.
Zoom brought me into the show. We were given a graphic of a player who had just competed during rehearsal. Her forehead was accentuated by the angle at which it was taken. I was instructed to frame up my Zoom a short while later.
I jokingly remarked that the low camera angle made my forehead seem like the player’s.
I responded to a comment made by someone in the control room. Despite being a private rehearsal, this interaction unintentionally and without context ended up on live television.
I understand: I am not the victim in this situation. It wasn’t charitable, professional, or representative of who I try to be. I’m responsible. This belongs to me. I apologize.
Given that it ‘holds its personnel to a standard of respect for others at all times, a standard that was not fulfilled in this moment,’ the Tennis Network has since removed Wertheim from the air.