WTA breaks silence; issues stern statement after massive controversy sees journalist sacked for derogatory comment toward Barbora Krejcikova
In the aftermath of the Barbora Krejcikova controversy, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has taken a firm stance on journalists and commentators who make derogatory comments about players. The controversy stemmed when prominent journalist and analyst Jon Wertheim made a remark about Krejcikova's forehead. Wertheim has been fired as a result.
Krejcikova, a two-time Major champion whose last Grand Slam title came at this year's Wimbledon Championships, recently participated at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Jon Wertheim was covering the event as well, as a part of Tennis Channel's broadcast.
During Barbora Krejcikova's loss to Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals of the prestigious year-end tournament, Jon Wertheim, believing he was speaking off-air, joked with the rest of the Tennis Channel team, saying:
"What do you think I am...erm Barbora Krejčíková? Look at the forehead when Krejicikova and Zheng take the court....8 head."
However, Wertheim, in fact, was on air when he made the remark. Later, the moment drew Krejcikova's attention, and World No. 10 later expressed her disgust.
The WTA duly followed up the Czech's comments with a recent statement of its own on X (formerly Twitter), which read:
"Statement from the WTA: There is no place in sport for inappropriate comments about female athletes. The WTA stands in full support of Barbora’s powerful call for respect. This should be the norm for all women in all working environments. Respect is due as a right, not a privilege to be earned."
Tennis Channel has announced that Jon Wertheim has been suspended from the network indefinitely. Wertheim did render an apology to Krejcikova for his words about her appearance.
"I am accountable" - Jon Wertheim's apology to Barbora Krejčíková
After stirring controversy with his comments about Barbora Krejčíková's forehead, Jon Wertheim apologized to the two-time Major winner via a post on X. The analyst/journalist explained the moments leading up to his remark and later took accountability for his words.
"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," read a part of Wertheim's apology to Krejcikova.
Meanwhile, despite the WTA's own stern statement, the women's tennis' governing body is yet to provide an elaborate explanation of how it plans to stamp out derogatory remarks issued in the direction of players by analysts and commentators.