Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has hit out after the size of her forehead was mocked on TV by a leading commentator who has now been taken off air.Derogatory comments were made about her face by prominent American journalist Jon Wertheim on the Tennis Channel as she lost to China’s Qinwen Zheng in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia on Saturday (AEST).Unaware he was on air as he mucked around with the camera and his Zoom picture, Wertheim, 53, said: “Who do you think I am? Barbora Krejcikova?“Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court.”Wertheim has since issued a public apology, but it came as Krejcikova also voiced his disappointment.The 28-year-old said in a statement posted on social media: “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.“As an athlete who has dedicated herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see this type of unprofessional commentary.’Jon Wertheim was caught on the Tennis Channel. Photo/l Twitter.Barbora Krejcikova (back row on the left) with the other WTA Tour finalists. Photo: WTA Tour via Instagram, @bkejcikova.“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 honours the commitment we make to compete at this level.”Wertheim has now been taken off air, The Sun reports.A statement issued by the Tennis Channel said: “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.“The network also apologised to the player, Barbora Krejcikova, as did Jon.“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.Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova reacts after winning against US' Jessica Pegula. Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP.Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia and Qinwen Zheng of China. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images for WTA.“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.”Wertheim spoke out when the footage emerged, apologising for his comments while attempting to provide context to the clip.He wrote on X: “During a Tennis Channel studio show on Friday, I made some deeply regrettable comments off-air.“I acknowledge them. I apologise for them. I reached out immediately and apologised to the player.“What happened? I joined the show by Zoom. In rehearsal we were shown a graphic of a player who had just competed. It showed her at an angle that exaggerated her forehead.“A few moments later, I was told to frame up my Zoom. 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.Nick Kyrgios, Jon Wertheim and Barbora Krejcikova. Photo: Twitter, MissingTennis and getty.“Though this was a private rehearsal, this exchange inadvertently and without context, made it to live air. I realise: 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.”There had earlier been calls for Wertheim to be sacked.Video of Wertheim’s comment has been swirling around cyber space and tennis fans have dragged Nick Kyrgios into the drama.It has not been lost on fans that Wertheim was one of the loudest voices that criticised the Australian over seemingly misogynistic comments he made during the 2024 US Open.Kyrgios’ “second serve” comment about ex-girlfriend Anna Kalinskava, who is now in a relationship with Jannik Sinner, was in September labelled “vulgar”.Wertheim is one of the most respected commentators in tennis and has previously featured as the executive editor of Sports Illustrated and as a correspondent for 60 Minutes on CBS in America.— This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission
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