Tennis Channel analyst Jon Wertheim has been pulled from the network after making a disparaging remark about Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková’s appearance.
Wertheim, 54, who also writes for Sports Illustrated, explained the situation with an attempted mea culpa on Sunday, November 10.
“During a Tennis Channel studio show on Friday, I made some deeply regrettable comments off-air,” Wertheim wrote via X. “I acknowledge them. I apologize for them. I reached out immediately and apologized to the player.”
Wertheim said he joined a Zoom rehearsal for coverage of the WTA Finals and was shown a picture of Krejčíková, 28, which “showed her at an angle that exaggerated her forehead.”
“A few moments later, I was told to frame up my zoom,” Wertheim continued. “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. Though this was a private rehearsal, this exchange inadvertently, and without context, made it to live air.”
Wertheim concluded, “I realize: I am not the victim here. It was neither professional nor charitable nor reflective of the person I strive to be. I am accountable. I own this. I am sorry.”
The comment eventually found its way to Krejčíková, who won her second singles major title at Wimbledon in July.
“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,” Krejčíková, who also won the French Open in 2021, shared via X on Sunday. “As an athlete who has dedicated herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see this type of unprofessional commentary.”
She continued, “This isn’t the first time something like this is happening in [the] 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.”
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“When Tennis Channel became aware of an inappropriate comment about a professional Tennis player made by our analyst Jon Wertheim on Friday, we immediately removed him from our air indefinitely,” a network statement read. “Jon has dedicated his career to shining a light on and growing this sport and has been a valued member of our family and the Tennis community.”
The statement concluded, “That said, Tennis Channel holds its employees to a standard of respectfulness for others at all times, a standard that was not met in this moment.”
