"Embarrassing & arrogant to think it's ok to admit this" - Fans slam Sam Querrey for 'shameful' ignorance of Marta Kostyuk in Canadian Open commentary

Sam Querrey has come under fire from tennis fans for his on-air admission about his unfamiliarity with Marta Kostyuk. The American admitted his lack of knowledge about Kostyuk while commentating at the 2024 Canadian Open.

Following her quarterfinal finish at the Paris Olympics, Kostyuk kicked off her North American hardcourt swing as the 11th seed at the Canadian Open. After beating Tatjana Maria and Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian took on Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event in Toronto.

Navarro delivered an impressive performance to oust the World No. 20, battling back from 5-2 down and fending off a set point in the tight opening set to claim a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 victory in an hour and 46 minutes.

The thrilling clash sparked controversy for Tennis Channel commentator Sam Querrey's admission that he had never heard of Marta Kostyuk before, despite her being the World No. 20.

"Sam Querrey just said on Tennis Channel that he’s never heard of Marta Kostyuk before, a TOP 20 player… yet he’s one of the new main commentators on the network. literally embarrassing," the user posted.

Fans were appalled at Sam Querrey's admission, lambasting him for his "shameful" ignorance of the World No. 20 and seeming disinterest in women's tennis.

"It's f**king embarrassing + unprofessional + extremely arrogant to think it's ok for a commentator to admit this on air. Do they think it's amusing or just truly don't give a f**k that their commentators sound clueless about women's tennis?" one fan posted.

"You are now my sworn enemy. Any 22 year-old man with her list of accomplishments would be talked about endlessly but you can’t even bother to know her. Take a long look in the mirror and think if covering this sport is right for you," a fan commented.

"It’s not as if Kostyuk was known since… the 2018 Australian Open 🙃 A top-20 player, recent QFist at the Olympics, a player having a very good season (race top-15…) But he’d have to actually follow women tennis… Shameful," another fan chimed in.

Fans continued to lambast the American for his lack of research on Marta Kostyuk.

"Unacceptable! Do the research for the job," one fan posted.

"One of the best and most exciting players on the tour all year long and he hasn't heard of her...He is supposed to be a commentator by the way....Just poor professionalism all round....," another fan wrote.

"Infuriating ... but sadly not unusual. Would it kill them to take 15 minutes to review the tennis results everyday - for ALL the tournaments (ITF included)? I do ... and I don't get paid for it," a fan argued.

The criticism intensified as several fans drew parallels between Querrey's ignorance and John McEnroe's similar oversights during commentary, for which the tennis legend has faced persistent backlash.

"McEnroe too. It’s one thing to think it. It’s another to say it on air and admit he came to work unprepared," one fan commented.

"That's McEnroe doing classes, they're paid to comment on tennis matches and don't even take the time to know who's in the top 100 at least. I hate lazy professionals, they're incompetent!" another fan chimed in.

"Uninformed tennis commentators are very common in the ATP too, unfortunately they're everywhere.. John McEnroe for one - if the players aren't American or known to him personally, he doesn't have a clue.. just one recent eg is he didn't know Nico Jarry, who was top20 at the time," said yet another.

Marta Kostyuk to compete at Cincinnati Open after Canadian Open exit

Marta Kostyuk (Source: Getty)

Following her loss to Emma Navarro at the Canadian Open, Marta Kostyuk will be back in action at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. The WTA 1000 event is scheduled to commence on August 11.

The Ukrainian will aim to improve on her performance from last year, when she suffered a crushing 6-2, 6-1 defeat to Jasmine Paolini in her opening match. Kostyuk's campaign in Cincinnati will mark her final stop before the US Open, which begins on August 26.

Marta Kostyuk had a disappointing outing at the New York Major in 2023, losing 6-2, 6-1 to Elena Rybakina in the first round. The World No. 20 will look to advance past the third round of the US Open for the first time in her career as she continues her hunt for her maiden Grand Slam title.