On Monday, things grew oddly quiet on the Jon Wertheim front after a busy weekend.
The Tennis Channel broadcaster who turned 54 on November 11 shared his side of the story on Sunday on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast. He was suspended from Tennis Channel indefinitely for a hot mic comment about Barbora Krejcikova’s appearance that aired on Friday. Wertheim apologized for the incident in a lengthy Twitter post that does not mention Krejcikova by name.
Because of this, a tweet from Wertheim issued during the US Open has resurfaced. The tweet criticized Nick Kyrgios.
What Happened Between Jon Wertheim and Nick Kyrgios?
Both Wertheim and Kyrgios were employed by ESPN to cover this year’s US Open. During that time, Kyrgios commented on an old photo posted by a Twitter user of Kyrgios and his ex-girlfriend Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya (their relationship ended in 2020) who is Jannik Sinner’s current girlfriend. His comment said, “Second serve.”
Kyrgios about Kalinskaya (who is Nick’s ex-girlfriend and Sinner’s current partner)
… 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/WRKFlwsCtf
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) September 7, 2024
Wertheim took offense and posted a tweet on September 7, 2024, saying: “Nick Kyrgios once made a misogynistic, wildly inappropriate comment about a WTA player, drew the anger of her ATP player boyfriend, his coach, and much of the locker room…but didn’t face real consequence, dismissed, as it was, as youthful indiscretion. That was 2015. He’s 29 now. ”
Not Many Voices Defending Krejcikova
Krejcikova standing up for herself was important for her and women in sports yet female tennis legends like Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, and Martina Navratilova have not addressed the situation. Rennae Stubbs is another outspoken woman in tennis who has not said anything either.
Australian tennis player Daria Saville, 30, is the only player who spoke on Krejcikova’s behalf.
I am glad that Barbs didn’t let it fly under the radar. Very good statement too 👏👏 https://t.co/IlkMs38WMP
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) November 11, 2024
Thankfully, the WTA backed Krejcikova. It was the prudent thing to do to support her.
Statement from the WTA:
There is no place in sport for inappropriate comments about female athletes. The WTA stands in full support of Barbora’s powerful call for respect. This should be the norm for all women in all working environments. Respect is due as a right, not a…
— wta (@WTA) November 10, 2024
Widespread outrage and universal support have not happened. It is unclear when or if they will. Either way, Wertheim could be back on the air in no time.
