Tennis Channel Journalist Jon Wertheim Stood Down for Comments on Barbora Krejčíková’s Appearance

In a recent incident that has sparked significant backlash, Tennis Channel journalist Jon Wertheim has been stood down indefinitely after making derogatory comments about the appearance of Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková. The incident occurred during the coverage of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Krejčíková was competing in a semi-final match against Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen.

Wertheim, seemingly unaware that he was on air, made a comment about Krejčíková’s forehead. This “hot mic” moment was quickly picked up by viewers and spread rapidly on social media, prompting widespread criticism and calls for action against the journalist.

In response to the incident, Tennis Channel issued a statement apologizing to Krejčíková and announcing that Wertheim had been taken off the air indefinitely. “Tennis Channel holds its employees to a standard of respectfulness for others at all times, a standard that was not met in this moment,” the network stated.

Wertheim took to social media to apologize for his comments, expressing deep regret and acknowledging that his remarks were unprofessional and not reflective of the person he strives to be. He also reached out to Krejčíková directly to apologize.

Krejčíková, a two-time Grand Slam champion, responded to the incident on social media, highlighting the broader issue of women athletes being subjected to unprofessional and sexualized commentary. She emphasized the need for respect and professionalism in sports media, noting that such comments distract from the athletes’ dedication and performance.[