"Nick Kyrgios & Martina Navratilova have said a lot worse, they should go too": Fans react as tennis insider taken off air over Barbora Krejcikova row

Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim recently sparked outrage with his controversial comment about Barbora Krejcikova's physical appearance during a Tennis Channel broadcast. In response to the controversy, the Tennis Channel has pulled Wertheim off the air, drawing strong reactions from tennis fans.

During the 2024 WTA Finals coverage on the Tennis Channel, Wertheim was captured making a snarky remark about the size of Krejcikova's forehead, drawing immense backlash from the tennis community.

"What do you think I am? Barbora Krejcikova. Look at the forehead when Krejcikova and Zheng take the court. Eighthead," Wertheim had said.

Shortly after Barbora Krejcikova called out the "unprofessional commentary," the Tennis Channel released a statement announcing the decision to take Jon Wertheim off the air "indefinitely" over the "inappropriate comment."

"Tennis Channel holds its employees to a standard of respectfulness for others at all times, a standard that was not met in this moment," an excerpt from the statement read.

Fans, however, suggested that Martina Navratilova should also be removed from the broadcast booth over her "transphobic" advocacy against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports. Similar arguments were made for Nick Kyrgios to be dismissed for his "misogynistic" views.

"This is kinda surprising tbh but i expect him to be back on the air by the start of next season…. meanwhile they need to address Ms. Navratilova’s ignorant tweets," one fan commented.

"Nick and Martina have said a lot worse. They should go too," another fan wrote.

"And yet they chose to hire a known mysoginist and masculinist + work with a transphobe @TennisChannel zero values just communication trick," said another.

Fans pointed out that Kyrgios had been allowed to conduct interviews with WTA players despite his controversial remarks, with Wertheim himself having criticized the Australian for his "misogynistic comment."

"And meanwhile Kyrigos get to do on court interview of WTA matches. Cool, no double standard at all," one fan remarked.

"You mean if there's enough of an outcry peopIe can be off air indefinitely? Get rid of Nick Kyrgios next!" another fan commented.

"NICK KYRGIOS NEXT," said yet another.

Others, meanwhile, argued that removing Jon Wertheim from the broadcast at the end of the season was a very mild punishment, suggesting that he would be back on air in time for the 2025 Australian Open.

"Removing him in the off season doesn't seem like much of a penalty. I bet he's back in time for the AO," one fan posted.

"The timing is perfect. It’s already the end of the women’s season and now just Turin and federation cups. He can be back on air in time for the new year," another fan chimed in.

However, some fans asserted that it was "embarrassing" for Tennis Channel to take Wertheim off the air, contending that while his comment about Barbora Krejickova was "dumb," it didn't warrant a suspension.

"Oh good grief. What he said was dumb but not something to be taken off the air for," one fan wrote.

"Embarrassing to do that. Woke culture," said another.

Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim on his controversial comment about Barbora Krejcikova: "Actions have consequences and I'm prepared to deal with what's next"

Barbora Krejcikova (Source: Getty)

After issuing a public apology, tennis journalist Jon Wertheim recently addressed the controversy surrounding his remark about Barbora Krejcikova on the 'Served with Andy Roddick' podcast's social media, given his role as co-host to Roddick.

Wertheim apologized to the tennis community, admitting that he acted "inconsistently" with the values he typically espoused. The 53-year-old also disclosed that he was "prepared" to deal with the consequences of his actions.

"Honestly I feel bad and apologize to tennis. It's a small community and I'm banging on a lot about civility and decorum and not leaning into appearances and I acted pretty inconsistently. So, you own it, you're accountable, you're apologetic. We all tell out kids actions have consequences and I'm prepared to deal with what's next," Wertheim said.

Andy Roddick also shared his opinion on the issue, acknowledging that his podcast co-host had crossed the line with his comment about Barbora Krejcikova's appearance.