Former top pro and now commentator, Sam Querrey has come under fire for comments he reportedly made on Tennis Channel saying that he had never heard of Marta Kostyuk before.
Kostyuk who is a top 20 player with a high of top 16 earlier this Summer at the age of 22 is a Grand Slam Quarter-Finalist and multiple WTA title winner. It also brings the perception back to an infamous moment involving John McEnroe who in a similar ranking status didn't know who Nicolas Jarry was.
This happened at Wimbledon last year when he faced John McEnroe and was brought back up again this year in sections of the media. Querrey who is seen as fairly knowledgable and now appears on Tennis Channel was called out on social media for the blunder.
Christian's Court wrote that he had just said on Tennis Channel that he's never heard of Kostyuk who is a top 20 player and dubbed it as 'embarrassing'.
"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....," one fan responded.
Another said also referencing to the McEnroe incident. "It’s one thing to think it. It’s another to say it on air and admit he came to work unprepared." One X user though said that why should she be known by an ex ATP pro other than for her Instagram page in a scathing response against the norm of the responses.
But it shines a light on both great commentators who are involved in the sport as well as those who are hired for prior exploits and have been criticised for not knowing their stuff e.g McEnroe and now Querrey. An interesting topic nonetheless as Kostyuk continues into the third round of the Canadian Open after defeating Elina Svitolina.
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Wouldnt happen to anyone covering ATP matches… this is sad 🤷🏻♀️
Christian's Court
@christianscourt
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