American tennis star Taylor Townsend has issued an apology following a backlash over her comments about Chinese cuisine. Townsend, the world’s top-ranked doubles player, sparked controversy while in Shenzhen for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with her remarks on social media. She described dishes such as frog, turtle, and sea cucumber as “crazy” and “wild,” which many perceived as offensive.
In a video shared on Instagram, Townsend expressed regret for her comments and acknowledged her position of privilege as a professional athlete who has the opportunity to embrace diverse cultures. “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 stated.
However, her initial reaction on social media, where she rated her culinary experience poorly, offended many, prompting a swift response and criticism from users who argued her remarks displayed a lack of cultural understanding. Chinese social media users also expressed dissatisfaction, and the hashtag “American tennis player publicly insults Chinese food” gained traction.
This incident adds to Townsend’s recent controversies. Less than a month ago, she was involved in a dispute with Latvian tennis player Jelena Ostapenko, centered around tennis etiquette.
Townsend’s apology signals a move towards mending the situation and fostering respect for cultural diversity. As she and her team prepare for their quarter-final match against Kazakhstan, her focus might be on both her performance and maintaining cultural sensitivity and respect in diverse international settings.