• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
16-year-old tennis star's 'inappropriate' celebrations with father spark uproar at US Open

Home> Sport

Published 04:44 31 Aug 2022 GMT+1

16-year-old tennis star's 'inappropriate' celebrations with father spark uproar at US Open

Footage of their celebratory hug has sent social media into meltdown.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Teenage tennis player Sara Bejlek's celebrations with her father at the US Open have been labelled 'creepy' and 'inappropriate'.

Bejlek had produced a brilliant display to overcome Heather Watson and qualify for her first ever grand slam.

However, it was her post-match celebrations that sent social media into a frenzy.

Captured on Amazon Prime's broadcast of the match, the world No. 194 shook hands with her opponent and the official before making her way over to a clearly ecstatic supporter.

Advert

That man, who has now been identified as Bejlek's father, gave his daughter a big hug.

But during their embrace, the dad appeared to give the 16-year-old a pat on the backside multiple times before kissing her on the mouth.

Some didn't bat an eye over the embrace, but it appears their method of celebrations didn't sit well with a large portion of viewers.

One fan tweeted: "There's absolutely no reason to touch a 16yo girl on her butt like that. It's beyond inappropriate. As the video progressed it got worse and worse. And that's not because I see her as 'sexual object' or am projecting as some in comments and quotes are alluding."

While another added: "The WTA needs to look into these especially since these young girls are traveling w men from a very young age. Also y'all can say its the dad or WTV but does your dad touch your bum like that."

As a third said: "'Creepy' is one way to describe it, but 'criminal' is more accurate. (And those who think it’s not so bad because it’s her father? That’s just as disturbing.) Needs to be reported."


Some people argued that Bejlek was hugging her dad and it was therefore just a friendly embrace.

Footage of the incident has now gone viral online, racking up almost 200,000 views on one tweet alone.

As for Bejlek herself, she'll be preparing to make her US Open debut against Ludmilla Samsanova.

Bejlek's fellow compatriot and grand slam champion Barbora Krejcikova has spoken very highly of the teenager.

“I see big potential and I think Sara has a big future ahead of her,” Krejcikova said.

“She is a really, really good player and is doing really well at ITF World Tennis Tour events. For me, it is good that I can practice with her on a good level and for her I hope it is good that she has the chance to practice with me.

“Sara really is on the right path and has a nice team, who are doing everything to make her better every single day, and I would just tell her to keep going, keep doing her best every day and keep believing in herself.”

Featured Image Credit: @TheBoiledEgg/Twitter.

Topics: Sport, Weird

Max Sherry
Max Sherry

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
5 days ago
7 days ago
11 days ago
  • Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
    a day ago

    Dutch FA issues statement over boycotting World Cup because of Donald Trump

    The idea of not showing up for the World Cup has been floated

    News
  • Mandel NGAN - Pool/Getty Images
    5 days ago

    US responds to World Cup fears after Donald Trump banned 15 countries

    Donald Trump's latest wave of visa bans sparked concerns about fans attending the upcoming World Cup

    News
  • Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
    7 days ago

    Donald Trump has just banned 15 countries that have qualified for the World Cup from entering the US

    Fans of some countries will not be allowed into the US despite their team playing at the World Cup

    News
  • BBC
    11 days ago

    Shay Given forced to respond after shocking ‘holocaust’ comment live on BBC

    The former Newcastle United star has since apologised

    News
  • 16-year-old tennis star responds to outrage over father and coach's 'inappropriate' celebrations
  • Whistleblower paid to be 'father-of-the-bride' at fake Disney wedding where Brit married nine-year-old speaks out
  • Tennis stars speak out on new underwear rule for female players at Wimbledon this year
  • 50-year-old mum knocks out son’s 19-year-old ex girlfriend in bizarre fight event