Chris Evert responds to accusations about US Open commentators mispronouncing Zheng Qinwen's name; Andy Roddick chimes in too
Chris Evert responded to a fan who accused US Open commentators of mispronouncing Zheng Qinwen's name. Evert said Zheng had herself informed them about the pronunciation they used. Later, Andy Roddick also joined the conversation with a witty remark.
Cliff Drysdale, Mary Joe Fernandez and Pam Shriver were named in a post by a fan who claimed Qinwen is pronounced as 'Chin-wen,' and not 'Kin-wen' as the commentators kept saying. They wrote on X:
"Hey @espn , please let Mr Drysdale, Ms Fernandez and Ms Shriver know that Qinwen is pronounced as ‘Chinwen’ (closest to the mandarin pronunciation). Not ‘Kinwen’. Please and thank you."
Evert, also a commentator at the US Open, responded to the comment stating that their source was the player herself:
"We actually asked her directly, and she gave us that pronunciation!"
Roddick noted the conversation and asked Evert jokingly if she had enquired with the fan before going ahead with her commitment.
"Yes, but did you ask Ratazana on Twitter before committing to what Qinwen told you to call her ?" Roddick wrote on X.
Evert responded with laughing emojis.
Notably, the Paris Olympics gold medalist has pronounced her name as 'Kin-wen' on the WTA website as well.
Zheng faced defeat on the night as she was outclassed by Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 6-2 in the 2024 US Open quarterfinal. Sabalenka will take on Emma Navarro in the semifinal of the New York Major.
Chris Evert has come under fire for controversial commentary during US Open 2024
During Naomi Osaka's second-round match against Karolina Muchova at the 2024 US Open, Chris Evert's comments about the Japanese player's kit were seen as racist by some fans.
"I like the dress… it suits her, it suits the Japanese culture," Evert said.
Further, following Muchova's win over Osaka, Evert's comments about the Czech's game resembling that of a male came under criticism.
"She plays like a guy. She wants to play like a guy. The guys have bigger serves than the women, they have better volleys for the most part, they move a little bit better," Chris Evert said.
Fans were unhappy with the American tennis icon for comments that were perceived as showing gender bias. Tunisian player Ons Jabeur made her feelings known about the comments too.
"Muchova is an amazing talented player . She doesn’t have to be a guy to have great serve , volley or movement. Can we please stop stereotyping based on gender?" wrote Jabeur on X.
Nick Kyrgios reposted Jabeur's update and expressed agreement with her. Later, Evert took to X to apologize for her comments, stating that her 'delivery could've been better' and that it was not her intention to offend anyone.