Our blogposts are committed to celebrating women’s tennis exclusively, bringing you insights and updates focused solely on female players. We believe women’s tennis is more exciting, attractive, fair, and engaging. Our platform aims to counter the stereotypical views often associated with men’s tennis coverage. Though prize money is increasingly equal, gender bias in coverage and respect for women in sports is still pervasive. As proven again by a well known tennis journalist, Jon Wertheim.
Why We Choose Women’s Tennis Only
On countless occasions, the most thrilling women’s matches are sidelined by broadcasters in favor of men’s games. Our choice to highlight women’s tennis is not out of disdain for the men’s side of the sport, but rather an acknowledgment of the consistent underappreciation of female athletes. For instance, some still argue that female players should play best-of-five sets in majors if they want the same rewards as their male counterparts—a sentiment rooted in outdated views on women in sports.
Wertheim’s Disparaging Comments and Their Impact on the WTA
Recently, bias surfaced again when Barbora Krejcikova, a dedicated WTA player, was subjected to derogatory remarks on Tennis Channel by a well-known journalist, Jon Wertheim. Seemingly unaware he was on-air, Wertheim’s comments targeted Krejcikova’s appearance rather than her game, highlighting a persistent issue in sports media that degrades the integrity of women’s tennis. Though Tennis Channel has since suspended him indefinitely, it appears they’re hoping the backlash will subside over time.
Krejcikova’s Dignified Response to Wertheim’s Disrespect
Krejcikova herself addressed the remarks with a dignified response, which we are glad to share here:
“You might have heard about the recent comments made on Tennis Channel during the WTA Finals coverage that focused on my appearance rather than my performance. As an athlete who has dedicated herself to this sport, it was disappointing to see this type of unprofessional commentary. This isn’t the first time something like this is happening in sports world. I’ve often chosen not to speak up, but I believe it’s time to address the need for respect and professionalism in sports media.
These 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.”
Moving Beyond Appearance-Based Judgments in Sports Coverage
This incident serves as a reminder that both men and women (remember Chris Evert about Karolina Muchova a while ago) should be mindful of the impact of such comments, whether public or private. Discussing an athlete’s appearance rather than their performance diminishes the respect that all WTA players deserve. If people insist on making appearance-based remarks, let them keep these thoughts private—far from public channels. WTA fans know better than to entertain such superficiality. And so do we.