Townsend withdraws from China swing after food – Sports News
Taylor Townsend is out of the China swing after she formally withdrew from each the China Open and the Wuhan tournaments, citing an ankle harm.
Her exit comes within the wake of a firestorm sparked by Instagram videos she posted during the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen, the place she criticized native Chinese dishes, together with bullfrogs and turtles, in harsh phrases.
During the controversy, Townsend, weeks after being wrapped up in a racism debate on the US Open, mentioned, “I’m honestly just so shocked at what I saw in the dinner buffet,” she added. “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 truth that it is all stewed up with chillies, peppers, and onions. Like oh, you actually made this a dish. All in all I’d give this like a strong 2 out of 10 to this point, as a result of that is loopy.”
That post drew swift backlash online, with many accusing her of cultural insensitivity or racism.
In response, Townsend issued a public apology, writing: “I perceive that I’m so privileged as a skilled athlete to have the ability to journey all world wide and expertise cultural variations, which is one of the issues that I really like a lot about what I do,” she said in a video shared to Instagram.
“I’ve had nothing however probably the most wonderful experiences and time right here. The event and everybody has been so variety and so gracious. The issues that I mentioned weren’t consultant of that in any respect.
“I simply needed to actually apologize. There’s no excuse. There’s no phrases. For me, I will likely be higher. I’m actually grateful to my nation to have the ability to characterize them.”
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While the ankle harm is the official purpose for dropping out of the China swing, many observers and followers suspect the controversy performed a function within the timing of her determination. Some have speculated that her withdrawal is a option to step back from heat and backlash.
Townsend’s doubles profession stays sturdy: she is presently ranked world No. 2 in doubles and earlier this 12 months gained the Australian Open partnering Katerina Siniaková. But this incident in China might depart a blemish on her off-court popularity, even when her on-court credentials stay formidable.
Her withdrawal means she won’t compete within the ultimate two WTA 1000 tournaments of the season in China.
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