Tennis star Sara Bejlek has responded to outrage over her "inappropriate" celebration with her father after qualifying for the US Open.
On Monday (August 28), a video of the 16-year-old athlete rejoicing after her victory against opponent Heather Watson went viral on social media.
In the clip, Bejlek is seen shaking hands with Watson, before heading courtside to celebrate with her father Jaroslav Bejlek, and her coach Jakub Kahoun.
Bejlek's father then appears to kiss her on the mouth and pats her on the backside. She then walks toward her coach who also repeats the action and pats her bum.
Watch the video below:The method of celebration didn't sit well with a large portion of viewers online and has left many users feeling unsettled.
One user wrote: "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."
Another commented: "'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."
A third said: "Even if her dad and coach are not creeps or predators, this def makes them look like one. Boys and men need to know better. Please don't tap tap tap a child's bum even if it's 'way to go kid!'"
The teenager has now responded to the backlash during her interview with iSport and said: "I saw the video. It was a spontaneous reaction of the whole team. We rejoiced."
"It may certainly seem inconvenient and uncomfortable to some, but we have already discussed it with the team," she told the Czech publication. "It won’t happen again."
"Dad is my dad and always will be. And I’ve known the coach since I was eight years old. He tapes me, he massages me," Bejlek continued.
"If something similar happened in the Czech Republic, no one would deal with it. But since we are in America, everyone comments on it. But as I say, we talked and it won’t happen again," she added.
Some users didn't bat an eyelid at the embrace, saying that the incident only looks unsettling to those with a Western perspective due to cultural differences.
Despite it all, the Czech-born star's grand slam debut on Tuesday (August 30) morning ended in defeat as lost to Russian star Ludmilla Samanova, who secured her 11th successive win by triumphing 6-3 6-1.
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