NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Tennis Channel took analyst Jon Wertheim off the air 鈥渋ndefinitely鈥� after Wimbledon champion called him out for what she called 鈥渃overage that focused on my appearance rather than my performance.鈥�
The network said in a statement posted online Sunday that Wertheim made 鈥渁n inappropriate comment鈥� and it 鈥渉olds its employees to a standard of respectfulness for others at all times, a standard that was not met in this moment.鈥�
, acknowledging his 鈥渄eeply regrettable comments off-air鈥� that 鈥渋nadvertently made it to live air.鈥�
Krejcikova played last week in the WTA Finals, which were shown on Tennis Channel.
She is a 28-year-old from the Czech Republic who also won a Grand Slam singles title at the 2020 French Open and owns seven major doubles trophies, too.
鈥淎s an athlete who has dedicated herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see this type of unprofessional commentary. This isn鈥檛 the first time something like this is happening in sports world. I鈥檝e often chosen not to speak up, but I believe it鈥檚 time to address the need for respect and professionalism in sports media,鈥� Krejcikova wrote. 鈥淭hese 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.鈥�
Wertheim also works for Sports Illustrated and is a 鈥�60 Minutes鈥� correspondent.
___
AP tennis:
The Associated Press
