American tennis star Taylor Townsend has apologized after coming under fire for comments she made on social media about Chinese food.
The 29-year-old, currently in Shenzhen for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, posted videos on Instagram discussing dishes that included frogs, turtles, and sea cucumber, stating, This is the craziest thing I've ever seen... Imma have to talk to HR... [eating] turtle and bullfrog is WILD. Townsend faced significant backlash on both English and Chinese social media platforms.
Later, she issued an apology explaining, There's no excuse, there's no words, and, for me, I will be better. She acknowledged her privilege as a professional athlete and expressed a desire to better understand and respect cultural differences.
In the videos, Townsend reacted to food served in a Shenzhen restaurant, including braised soft-shell turtle and dry pot bullfrog, which are considered traditional delicacies in southern China. She expressed disbelief and unease over the dishes, stating, These people are literally killing frogs... Aren't those poisonous? Aren't those the ones that give you warts and boils?
The remarks sparked outrage on social media, with many users condemning her for showing insensitivity towards local customs. Comments highlighted the need for respect towards diverse culinary traditions: one user stated, When you go overseas, respect the local customs and culture—there's no need to belittle our food. Meanwhile, the hashtag American tennis player publicly insults Chinese food trended on multiple platforms.
This controversy follows Townsend's earlier altercation with Latvian rival Jelena Ostapenko, further intensifying scrutiny of her behavior. Townsend and her team are set to face Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
