Wimbledon: Boris Becker criticised for comments about Marton Fucsovics’ fiancee
Becker has come under fire for comments he made during Fucsovics’ defeat by Djokovic
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Becker has been accused of “crossing the line” with comments he made about Marton Fucsovics’ fiancée during a Wimbledon match.
Fucsovics was playing a quarter-final against defending champion Novak Djokovic, a match the world No 1 won in straight sets, and Becker was co-commentating with John Inverdale.
Inverdale made a joke about the name of Fucsovics fiancée, Anett Böszörményi, saying: “If you’re a tennis player, it’s always good to have a partner called Anett.”
And Becker responded: “They do say they have the most beautiful women in Hungary. I wouldn’t know that, but she’s certainly very pretty.”
The former Wimbledon champion then came under fire for the comment.
Chief executive of Women in Sport, Stephanie Hillborne, said: “The charity Women in Sport has worked for decades to change sporting culture, including to end the objectification of women. When two men are comfortable talking about women in this way, never mind on live TV, it shows there is still more to do.”
And fans added to the criticism, one writing on social media: “[Inverdale’s] joke about ‘Anett’ was pretty funny. Boris crossed the line. Why he is even on the BBC I do not know.”
Another supporter accused Becker of being sexist, writing: “Disgraceful BBC using John Inverdale to comment on a #Wimbledon QF when the guy has no background in tennis doesn’t know the basics of the sport and debates the ‘attractiveness’ of Hungarian women & #Fucsovics’ girlfriend with @TheBorisBecker#sexist.”
The BBC have since released a statement defending the 53-year-old.
The statement read: “Boris Becker made a light-hearted comment that was not intended to cause offense.”
This isn’t the only comment that has landed Becker in hot water recently as he criticised Naomi Osaka for boycotting the media.
He told The Times: “Is that really pressure? Isn’t it pressure when you don’t have food on the table? When you’ve got to feed your family and you don’t have a job? When you have a life-changing injury? Isn’t that more pressure?
“You’re 23, you’re healthy, you’re wealthy, your family is good. Where’s the f*****g pressure?”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments