By Scoop Malinowski
An ugly dispute in the tennis world erupted last week when Tennis Channel analyst Jon Wertheim mocked the physical appearance of reigning Wimbledon champion and WTA Finals semifinalist Barbora Krejcikova, regarding her forehead.
Krejcikova was not amused by the unprofessional insult by Wertheim and fired back 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. This isn’t the first time something like this is happening in 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 honors the commitment we make to compete at this level.”
A beautiful message delivered with class by the Grand Slam champion from Czech Republic.
One of the leading figures of the American tennis media, Wertheim sort of apologized but not directly to Krejcikova. He wouldn’t even mention her by name.
“During a Tennis Channel studio show 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. 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 me look like 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. 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.”
This is the full transcript of what Wertheim said; “What do you think I am…erm Barbora Krejcikova? Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and (Qinwen) Zheng take the court… eight head.”
Wertheim did not resign his position from Tennis Channel but on Sunday was suspended from working for the network or appearing on air.
Wertheim’s future at Tennis Channel is in jeopardy if you consider the fates of some other broadcasters who said controversial, unprofessional comments in the air.
An NBA team radio announcer lost his job for saying “All lives matter” during the peak of the BLM riots.
Doug Adler was fired from ESPN for saying “guerilla tennis” which was wrongly interpreted as gorilla tennis during a Venus Williams match.
Thom Brenaman lost his career as a MLB Cincinnati Reds and Fox NFL broadcaster for saying on a hot mic, though not live on the air, that San Francisco was “one of the fag capitals of the world.”
This incident involving Wertheim and Tennis Channel and a highly respected Grand Slam champion is another example that the tennis media, as ATP player Reilly Opelka famously said is “awful, it’s the worst.”
Tennis will continue to self destruct and misportray itself as long as characters like Wertheim, Rothenberg, etc continue to embarrass the sport.
Barbora Krejcikova · Reilly Opelka · Tennis Channel
Scoop Malinowski · November 10, 2024 at 7:15 pm
I will not defend Wertheim here for two reasons, because what he said is indefensible and I don’t like his character from personal experiences. We met and chatted years ago at US Open media center, he was eager to talk about UFC because he was writing a book about it and he knew I wrote for a couple of MMA publications doing Biofiles on the fighters. A few years later after I finished Facing Federer, I gave him a copy at Miami Open and he promised to help promote it. But he never did except for one tweet about it. When he saw me the next year at Miami Open he flinched in embarrassment, fearing I may make an issue about the broken promise. Then a while after that I landed a Mike Tyson interview about tennis which went viral. Some fly by night unknown site reposted it illegally, Wertheim tweeted about the interview – not from my site but the site which posted my Tyson interview without permission. It was a clear intentional snub by Wertheim to basically promote my Tyson interview without giving me or tennis-prose the credit. So I have exactly zero respect for Wertheim. I have never been impressed by anything he ever wrote or said on TV, the once great Sports Illustrated went down the drain while he was editor in chief with it’s woke leftist militant political activism. I stand with Barbora Krejcikova, as nice as any WTA player I ever interviewed, and a wonderful Biofile. https://www.tennis-prose.com/bios/biofile-barbora-krejcikova-interview/
Alex Green · November 11, 2024 at 6:22 am
John Wertheim is presenting himself on the TC as if he invented the game when we should wonder if he even knows how to hold a tennis racket himself……
anonymous · November 11, 2024 at 6:58 am
Another screwball nut at TC is Brett Haber. I saw a bad experience with him. It was Desert Smash Indian Wells. He was emcee’ing. And at the end of the event another announcer had to interview one of the players on court (only to the camera, not the loud speaker). No one could hear that interview. And Haber exploded with major rage. “Get off the court!!!!!!” Was insane. Like the second interviewer was a threat to his territory or job or something. The most ugly vicious rage I ever saw.
Steve · November 11, 2024 at 8:04 am
I never liked Wertheim or his commentary. He just seems exceedingly smarmy.
Sometimes when I discuss with the people who I think the greatest player of all time is, Justine Henin, some comment about her looks and it disgusts me. Even women do this.
Scoop Malinowski · November 11, 2024 at 9:33 am
Henin gets no respect. Such a great player too. she had those stone cold black shark eyes like Rafa. Loved her game. Worstheim will probably be back in January with his rubbish commentary.
Mark Topaz · November 11, 2024 at 10:15 am
He made a joke about her forehead. BFD. People need to lighten up. I enjoy listening to Wertheim. Haber on the other hand, I find a hard listen. He comes across as a pompous know it all, similar to the insufferable Chris Fowler on ESPN.
Scoop Malinowski · November 11, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Mark, respect your pov but Wertheim has been installed as an elite tennis analyst, face shaming a prominent world champion on live tv is unacceptable. maybe Wertheim should pursue a career path change into stand up comedy like the degenerate filth of Howard stern. wertheim has never said anything interesting, he’s not a player of any note and his observations are elementary though he’s well spoken and articulate there’s little substance or value. his prolonged bias and grudge against Djokovic was disgusting. time to get rid of Wertheim and bring in some new energy.
Harold · November 11, 2024 at 3:38 pm
If Wertheim said the same thing about Gauff, or Osaka he’d be fired by 60 Minutes , as well as TC, faster than you can say Forehead
Scoop Malinowski · November 11, 2024 at 4:06 pm
True Harold, white people are always fair game to be criticized. Black people can’t be criticized. Remember when Patrick McEnroe made a comment that the then fat Taylor Townsend need to lose weight and get fitter. He was right of course, she was woefully too heavy. But the PC attack dogs crucified Patrick McEnroe for daring to point out Townsend was fat and the weight was hurting her career. That’s how it works. Equality is a sham.
Doug Day · November 12, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Barboura is a class act all the way and Harold’s comment nailed those woke-tards indeed
Scoop Malinowski · November 12, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Agree Doug, Harold, aka “Hairload” nailed it.
catherine · November 13, 2024 at 6:17 am
I was brought up to believe that it was extremely impolite to make comments about anyone’s personal appearance.
‘people need to lighten up’. No they don’t. They just need to learn some manners.
Scoop Malinowski · November 13, 2024 at 9:29 am
Very unprofessional of Wertheim to do it, tennis deserves better.