A viral clip insulting Barbora Krejcikova’s physique look received to the Czech tennis star and he or she known as out a Tennis Channel journalist over “a disappointing” comment.Â
On Friday, the reigning Wimbledon champion noticed her marketing campaign on the WTA Finals come to an finish following a 3-6 5-7 loss to Zheng Qinwen. A day later, somebody seen one second that occurred in Tennis Channel’s studio simply earlier than the match began.
Apparently, Jon Wertheim wasn’t conscious that he was on air when he was caught saying: “Who do you suppose I’m? Barbora Krejcikova? Have a look at the brow when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court docket.”
Jon Wertheim insults Barbora Krejcikova by making enjoyable of her look on dwell TV@Olly_Tennis_ @josemorgado @Welovetennis @BenoitMaylin
Are you going to speak about it?
As journalists, do you suppose it is acceptable?pic.twitter.com/uBoxMGld9k
— Dan Gernez (@GernezDan) November 9, 2024
The footage of the second was posted on X and it did not take lengthy earlier than it began making rounds. To nobody’s shock, the two-time Grand Slam champion was made conscious of it.Â
After listening to herself and realizing {that a} journalist made enjoyable of her physique look, Krejcikova ripped it as “disappointing” and “unprofessional commentary.”
“You may need heard in regards to the latest feedback made on Tennis Channel throughout the WTA Finals protection that targeted on my look relatively than my efficiency. As an athlete who has devoted herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see any such unprofessional commentary,” the 28-year-old wrote on X.
You may need heard in regards to the latest feedback made on Tennis Channel throughout the WTA Finals protection that targeted on my look relatively than my efficiency. As an athlete who has devoted herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see any such unprofessional (cont.)
— Barbora Krejcikova (@BKrejcikova) November 10, 2024
Krejcikova: This is not the primary time…
In response to the previous world No. 2, there have been comparable circumstances previously however she merely declined to publicly deal with them. However this time, she presumably felt that this explicit remark went too far and did not need to keep silent about it.Â
“This isn’t the primary time one thing like that is occurring in sports activities world. I’ve typically chosen to not communicate up, however I consider it’s time to deal with the necessity for respect and professionalism in sports activities media. These moments distract from the true essence of sport and the dedication all athletes deliver to the sphere. I like tennis deeply, and I need to see it represented in a manner that honors the dedication we make to compete at this degree,” Krejcikova added.
3/3sport and the dedication all athletes deliver to the sphere. I like tennis deeply, and I need to see it represented in a manner that honors the dedication we make to compete at this degree.
— Barbora Krejcikova (@BKrejcikova) November 10, 2024
Following the incident, many got here to the Czech’s protection whereas some additionally known as for Wertheim to be sacked.Â
It was fairly a WTA Finals marketing campaign for Krejcikova
In the event you did not know, the 28-year-old booked a spot in Riyadh in a novel manner due to a brand new WTA rule. Despite the fact that she completed thirteenth on the Race to Riyadh, she gained a Grand Slam this yr and in addition completed between 9-20.Â
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And in her first match in Saudi Arabia, Krejcikova almost shocked five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek. However after being everywhere in the Pole and main by a set and a double break, the 2024 Wimbledon champion did not handle to maintain up with the identical depth and the Polish star got here again to win 4-6 7-5 7-2.Â
Afterward, Swiatek acknowledged that she was in actual hassle.
“It wasn’t straightforward. In the beginning I felt rusty however I’m pleased I discovered a strategy to play extra strong. I didn’t really feel nice originally. Barbora used that. The rating went her manner rapidly. I knew it was tight even within the first set. I had my possibilities. I simply needed to make use of them subsequent time.. I hear it (crowd help) for certain. I missed that. In robust moments immediately after I heard you guys screaming it helped me. Thanks guys for the help and for cheering.. although originally my recreation wasn’t so good, you guys nonetheless believed,” the Pole mentioned.
However after dropping to Swiatek, Krejcikova bounced again with wins over Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff – and he or she ended up reaching the semifinal and sending the Pole residence.Â
“Nicely I used to be positively tremendous excited to be right here, to come back right here, to qualify to play in opposition to the most effective ones, I do not actually know the place all the things began to come back collectively. Earlier than the event, I had a few days the place we hit frivolously and already throughout these hits, I felt fairly good. And I believe positively for me, it is a massive factor that it is the final event of the season,” the Czech mentioned after beating Gauff to safe her first semifinal on the season-ending event.
Sadly for Krejcikova, she did not handle to cap off her marketing campaign with a maiden WTA Finals title after dropping to Zheng in two units within the last-four stage.
