Jon Wertheim is not hiding from the controversy he caused on Friday. Wertheim appeared on Tennis Channel via Zoom. Unaware he was on live television and over a hot mic, he made a derogatory comment about 2024 Wimbledon Champion Barbora Krejcikova‘s forehead.
Wertheim apologized to Krejcikova via a lengthy X/Twitter post that did not mention her by name. Tennis Channel suspended Wertheim, who celebrates his 54th birthday on November 11, indefinitely. Krejcikova took to social media to explain her feelings on a situation she describes as happening often in the sports world.
Questions arose about whether Wertheim would lose his other jobs. He has worked for ESPN, 60 Minutes, Sports Illustrated, and as a co-host on Andy Roddick’s Served Podcast.
A remorseful Wertheim appeared in his regular role as the co-host of Roddick’s podcast.
What Jon Wertheim Said
Wertheim explained that he is friendly with Krejcikova’s agent and has communicated through these channels since Friday.
He also said that he was given a heads-up before she issued her X/Twitter statement asking for more professionalism in sports media.
Wertheim plans an in-person meeting with Krejcikova to apologize in the future.
He is prepared to live with the consequences of this incident but hopes his body of work stands for itself.
— Served with Andy Roddick (@Served_Podcast) November 10, 2024
Wertheim Also Apologized To The Tennis Community
He apologized to the tennis community at large because he often talks about proper decorum and has now committed his own infraction.
Wertheim regrets that the tennis world is not talking about the spectacular on-court action at the year-end events at the WTA Finals and ATP Finals.
What Happens Next Is Anyone’s Guess
This is a sticky situation involving a female athlete and a male broadcaster. It was not meant for widespread audience ears, but he still said it aloud to his Tennis Channel coworkers. These same Tennis Channel coworkers cover and follow Barbora Krejcikova’s career throughout the year and interview her occasionally.
He is remorseful but may not have given it another thought had it not gone live over a hot mic. Could he have said other things not over a hot mic to his Tennis Channel coworkers that have gone unaddressed or unpublicized? It is hard to say. No one from Tennis Channel except for Andy Roddick has addressed the incident.
