The Tennis Channel has benched Jon Wertheim after he made an “inappropriate comment” regarding professional player Barbora Krejčíková.
In a tweet shared to his X account, the 54-year-old journalist issued an apology, by first saying that he was not on air when the disparaging comment was made on Friday, Nov. 8.
However, the network still deemed his actions a violation of company standards.
“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,” its statement began.
Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman and Jon Wertheim interview Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, July 2024.
Fred Mullane/ISI Photos/Getty
“The network also apologized 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. 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,” it concluded.
In Wertheim’s public apology, he said, “During a Tennis Channel studio show on Friday, I made some deeply regrettable comments off-air. I acknowledge them. I apologize for them. I reached out immediately and apologized to the player.”
Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova, July 2024.
PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty
The broadcaster went on to explain how his comments that had been made off-air, got back to the masses, including 28-year-old Krejčíková.
According to Wertheim, he was rehearsing for a show via Zoom when he and his co-hosts “were shown a graphic [illustration] 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. Though this was a private rehearsal, this exchange inadvertently, and without context, made it to live air,” he tweeted.
“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,” Wertheim’s post concluded.
Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia, July 2024.
Francois Nel/Getty
Krejčíková also addressed his comments via social media.
In a three-part tweet, the Wimbledon champion called Wertheim’s comments “disappointing.”
“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,” she began.
“This isn’t the first time something like this is happening in sports world. l’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,” the athlete added.
