Czech tennis star Sara Bejlek has dismissed the outrage surrounding her celebrations that were deemed inappropriate after she clinched a place in the US Open main draw.
On Monday, a video showed Bejlek embracing a pair of men identified as her father and coach as she celebrated her monumental win over Heather Watson. The footage showed the 16-year-old shaking hands with the Brit and the umpire after fighting back to win 3-6 6-4 7-5 before moving courtside to celebrate.
She hugged father Jaroslav Bejlek who appeared to pat her buttocks repeatedly before kissing her on the lips while coach Jakub Kahoun also touched her backside. While many users on social media took offence to the viral video, Bejlek has assured fans around the tennis world that the outrage is unwarranted.
“I saw the video,” Bejlek told reporters at the US Open. “It was a spontaneous reaction of the whole team. We rejoiced.
“It may certainly seem inconvenient and uncomfortable to some, but we have already discussed it with the team. It won’t happen again.”
Many people online thought the actions of her father and coach Kahoun was inappropriate, but others pointed out the incident only looks unsettling to those with a Western perspective due to cultural differences. Bejlek appeared to suggest that was the case, adding: “Dad is my dad and always will be.
“And I’ve known the coach since I was eight years old. He tapes me, he massages me.
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“If something similar happened in the Czech Republic, no one would deal with it. But since we are in America, everyone comments on it. But as I say, we talked and it won’t happen again.”
The Czech rising star has a career-high WTA singles ranking of 181. She claimed her biggest singles title so far at the 2021 ITS Cup, where she defeated Argentine Paula Ormaechea in the final.
Unfortunately, Bejlek’s Grand Slam debut on Tuesday morning ended in defeat as she met in-form Russian star Ludmilla Samanova, who secured her 11th successive win by triumphing 6-3 6-1. The US Open runs until the men’s singles final on 11 September.
