American tennis star apologizes after backlash over Chinese food comments

American tennis player Taylor Townsend apologized after facing criticism for remarks about Chinese food while competing in Shenzhen at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals this week.

In videos posted to social media, the 28-year-old athlete reacted to dishes served at a buffet, including bullfrogs, turtles and sea cucumber. Townsend, ranked world No. 1 in doubles and a 2024 Wimbledon champion, drew swift backlash from viewers who called her comments disrespectful.

The controversy began when Townsend shared clips from a team dinner ahead of her quarterfinal match against Kazakhstan. In one video she said, “What the hell? This is crazy. I have never seen one of these up close, especially not to eat. These people are literally killing frogs, bullfrogs. Aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils and stuff?”

She also joked about needing to “talk to HR” about the quality of food at the tournament. “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 like a solid two out of 10 so far, because this is crazy,” she added.

Reaction in China was immediate, with social media users highlighting that the dishes Townsend mocked are considered traditional delicacies in several regions. Critics said her remarks dismissed the cultural and culinary value of foods that hold deep significance in Chinese cuisine. “It’s totally normal to come across foods that aren’t your taste when competing abroad,” one Weibo user wrote. “But it’s really inappropriate to openly express disgust to the world.”

Townsend addressed the controversy in an Instagram video posted on Wednesday. “I want to apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart,” she said. She acknowledged the privilege of being able to travel internationally for her career and added, “Everyone has been so kind and so gracious and so giving here, and that was not representative of that at all.” She concluded her statement by saying, “There is no excuse, there are no words. And for me, I just, I will be better.”