U.S. tennis player Taylor Townsend has apologized after facing criticism for remarks about local dishes offered during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Townsend, the world’s top-ranked doubles player, had posted videos on Instagram showing foods such as bullfrogs, turtles and sea cucumbers, describing them unfavorably. The posts were later removed after sparking backlash on Chinese social media.
In a follow-up video, Townsend said she was «sincerely sorry,» acknowledging her privilege as an athlete who travels the world and experiences different cultures. «The things that I said were not representative of the kindness and graciousness I’ve experienced here,» she said.
Townsend is among six players representing the U.S. in the tournament, where the team faced Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals.
