Townsend, the number one in the doubles, is in Shenzen to defend the colors of the American flag in the Billie Jean King Cup. Earlier this week she shared videos on Instagram in which she mock the food at the tournament. A few Chinese delicacies were presented at the buffet, such as turtle, sea cucumber and frog.
“This is the craziest thing I have ever seen,” she said in a video on her Instagram story. “I’m going to talk to HR. Turtle and Brullkikker is wild! And the fact that it is completely stewed with chili peppers, peppers and onions. So from: oh, you really made a dish of it.” Townsend did not stop. “All in all, I would give this a good 2 out of 10 so far, because this is insane,” she concluded.
The tennis star immediately received fierce criticism from Chinese and American angle. She was blamed for a lack of respect against Chinese culture. “I was such a big fan, until I heard you talk bad about the delicacies of my culture,” someone writes under an unknown post on Instagram. “Ostapenko was right,” responds another, referring to a conflict during the US Open. Ostapenko shouted Townsend after a lost game that the player has “no class” and “no education”.
Heated Wordswand Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko on US Open: ‘If I show respect for you, I also expect respect back’
Apologies
The player apologized in a video on Wednesday she shared on Instagram. “I really want to apologize, from the deepest of my heart,” she starts. “I realize that I am very privileged as a professional athlete because I can travel the world and experience cultural differences. That’s why I love my job.”
The tennis star emphasizes that she has a great time in Shenzen and that everyone is very friendly, and “that her words did not reflect that experience.” “There is no excuse, there are no words to make it better. I will do better.”
Townsend will play at the tournament with the American team on Thursday. The United States are taking on Kazakhstan.