Expert loses job over Krejcikova appearance joke

US journalist Jon Wertheim has lost his job as a Tennis Channel pundit after making derogatory remarks about Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova during the WTA finals.

The Czech tennis player had previously denounced “unprofessional comments about my appearance rather than my performance” on social media, calling it “disappointing”. Krejcikova said it was not the first time this had happened in the world of sport, adding: “I think it's time to address the issue of respect and professionalism in the sports media. I love tennis with all my heart and want to Portray it in a way that delivers on our commitment at this level.”

Wertheim joked about the world No. 13's forehead during a live broadcast on Tennis Channel. “Look at her forehead when she runs on the court with Zheng. Batou.»The latter term alludes to the English word “forehead”. “Fore” is pronounced like the number “four.” Replacing “four” with “eight” means a big forehead. Little did the 54-year-old know that his live broadcasts could still be heard.

Wertheim later publicly apologized to Krejcikova in person. “I made very regrettable remarks on television. I acknowledge them and apologize for them,” Wertheim said shortly after, when he saw himself on a video call, his forehead and the Like, so he joked that he looked like her.

“While this was a private rehearsal, the conversation was inadvertently broadcast live and without context,” Wertheim explained, admitting: “I know I'm not the victim here. It's unprofessional and unprofessional. Doesn't reflect who I want to be. I have a responsibility and I'm sorry.”

Barbora Krejcikova lost to Zheng Qinwen in the semi-finals of the WTA Year-End Finals.Image: trapezoid

The Tennis Channel, which broadcasts the WTA finals and other content, has removed Wertheim from its programming “indefinitely.” The tennis expert also works for Sports Illustrated and is a reporter for CBS News magazine 60 Minutes. (NIH)