Taylor Townsend faces massive backlash for mocking Chinese cuisine, apologizes later
NewsWednesday, 17 September 2025 at 15:37
Taylor Townsend caused considerable controversy after stunningly insulting Chinese food at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen.
The Asian swing is among the most important on the WTA Tour, especially the China Open, which starts next week, and the Wuhan Open. These are both 1000-level tournaments that offer significant prize money and a chance for players to make a late push in the rankings.
China's massive investment in women's tennis means the Tour's organizers are alarmed by acts that could cause alienation. Townsend's unexpected comments about Chinese cuisine undoubtedly fit that description.
On her Instagram stories, Townsend showed footage of the buffet options where she and fellow player Hailey Baptiste were. The American instantly showed disgust with the choices available, including saying, "What the hell?"
Townsend's complaints in a separate clip afterward caused the most controversy. She shockingly referred to those in China as "these people" and questioned whether the food being served at the buffet was poisonous.
"I’m honestly just so shocked at what I saw in the dinner buffet. As I go back and I look… these people are literally killing frogs… bullfrogs. Aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils and stuff?"
"And the fact that it’s all stewed up with chillies, peppers, and onions. Like, oh, you really made this a dish. All in all, I’d give this a solid 2 out of 10 so far, because this is crazy."
Comments like that about any dish would understandably cause anger, but Townsend was being disrespectful about everyday meals in Asia. For instance, bullfrogs are seen across several countries on the continent.
The fury with Townsend began swiftly. Realizing the stir she had caused, Townsend released another video, also on her Instagram, apologizing and saying there were no excuses for speaking so damningly about the local cuisine.
"Hi everyone. I just wanted to come on here and apologize from the bottom of my heart. I understand that I am so privileged as a professional athlete to travel around the world and see cultural differences, which is one of the things I love so much about what I do."
"I've had the most amazing experience and time here, and everyone has been so kind and so gracious, and what I said was not representative of that at all. I just truly want to apologize, there is no excuse, and I will be better."
This is not the first controversy caused by WTA players in Asia
Before last year's Wuhan Open, Magda Linette caused an outcry for making a joke about COVID-19's origin in the area. That was severe enough for the WTA to release a statement reminding players to respect the countries they visit.
Soon after, a picture of Paula Badosa using chopsticks to squint her eyes came to light, something often done to insult Asian people, which led to more anger. The Spaniard apologized, but also felt that the reaction from many constituted bullying.
Townsend's slip-up has been added to the list of ignorant behavior from players in Asia. Her apology was welcome and sincere, but WTA organizers must have been fuming behind the scenes about it.
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