What's happened
During the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, Jon Wertheim made inappropriate comments about player Barbora Krejcikova's appearance, prompting backlash. Krejcikova emphasized the need for professionalism in sports media, while Wertheim later apologized for his remarks. This incident highlights ongoing issues regarding media treatment of female athletes.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Jon Wertheim's comments about Barbora Krejcikova during the WTA Finals were deemed inappropriate, leading to a public apology. Krejcikova expressed disappointment over the focus on her appearance rather than her performance, stating, 'These moments distract from the true essence of sport.' The Tennis Channel acknowledged Wertheim's lapse in professionalism, emphasizing their commitment to respectful coverage. This incident echoes past criticisms of media treatment of female athletes, as noted by The Independent, which highlighted similar controversies in the past.
How we got here
The WTA Finals recently took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid ongoing debates about the country's human rights record. The event has drawn attention to the intersection of sports, media, and social issues, particularly regarding the treatment of female athletes in the media.
More on these topics
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The WTA Finals is a tournament of the Women's Tennis Association played annually at the end of the season for the top-ranked professional players.
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Zheng Qinwen is a Chinese tennis player. She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 77 on 21 February 2022.
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Lewis Jon Wertheim is a sports journalist and author. He has been a full-time staff member for Sports Illustrated since 1996, and is presently the Executive Editor. He has covered tennis, the NBA, sports business and mixed martial arts.
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Marion Bartoli is a French former professional tennis player. She won the 2013 Wimbledon Championships singles title after previously being runner-up in 2007, and was a semifinalist at the 2011 French Open.
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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John Inverdale is an English broadcaster who works for both the BBC and ITV.
During his radio career, he has presented coverage of many major sporting events including the Olympic Games, Wimbledon, the Grand National and the FIFA World Cup.