American tennis player Taylor Townsend has issued a public apology following backlash over comments she made about Chinese food while competing in China.
Townsend, currently competing in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, uploaded videos in which she expressed shock at certain dishes offered at a dinner buffet. Her posts showed items such as bullfrogs, soft‑shelled turtles, and sea cucumbers, and she joked about needing to “talk to HR” over the food. She also raised concerns about whether some dishes were safe to eat. Her remarks quickly drew criticism for being culturally insensitive.
In response to the criticism, Townsend posted a heartfelt apology on her Instagram account. She said she understood the privilege she has as an athlete who travels widely, and reflected on how much she enjoys experiencing different cultures. She acknowledged that her comments did not reflect respect for her host country or the kindness she had received while in China. “There’s no excuse, there are no words…I will be better,” she said.
Townsend is scheduled to play as part of the U.S. team against Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals of the competition. The incident adds to previous moments of controversy in her career, but she emphasized that this experience has reminded her of the importance of humility and cultural awareness.
