Taylor Townsend Apologizes for Controversial Comments on Chinese Cuisine
American tennis player Taylor Townsend has issued a public apology after making controversial remarks about traditional Chinese food during her stay in Shenzhen for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The 29-year-old, known for her success in doubles, faced significant backlash following her comments, which sparked discussions on social media platforms in China.
Cultural Misunderstandings and Public Reaction
Townsend shared several videos on her Instagram Story, expressing surprise at the variety of dishes served at the event. Some of the meals included turtle, bull frogs, and sea cucumber—ingredients that are considered delicacies in many parts of Asia. In one video, she remarked, “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen… and people eating this.” Another caption read, “Imma have to talk to HR… because what the hell… turtle and bull frog is wild.”
These comments quickly went viral, drawing attention from Chinese netizens who took issue with the tone of her remarks. On Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform, the hashtag “American tennis player criticizes Chinese food” was viewed millions of times. Many users expressed their disappointment, emphasizing the importance of cultural respect.
One user wrote, “It’s normal not to eat offal, bullfrogs, turtles. As a Chinese, I don’t eat these either, but you have to show respect. Just because you don’t like them doesn’t mean everyone feels the same.” Another comment noted that the remarks felt like “prejudice and discrimination.”
Apology and Reflection
In response to the growing criticism, Townsend posted an apology video on her Instagram Story. She acknowledged the privilege of being able to travel and experience different cultures, stating, “I understand that I am so privileged as a professional athlete to be able to travel all around the world and experience cultural differences, which is one of the things I love so much about what I do.”
She added, “The things that I said were not representative of that at all, and I just truly wanted to apologize. There is no excuse, there is no words. For me, I will be better.”
Previous Controversy and Current Focus
This incident follows a previous controversy involving Townsend, where she had a heated exchange with Jelena Ostapenko during the US Open last month. The situation escalated when Ostapenko criticized Townsend for not apologizing for a net-cord point, leading to a tense moment between the players. Ostapenko later apologized for her remarks, calling them “unacceptable.”
Despite the recent fallout, Townsend remains focused on her current competition. She is part of the U.S. team participating in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and is set to play in the quarterfinals against Kazakhstan this week.
