US tennis star Taylor Townsend is facing backlash after sharing her reaction to traditional Chinese dishes at the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen, China.
The 29-year-old, who recently dealt with a racial controversy at the US Open, has now drawn criticism for what many fans are calling a “classless” and culturally insensitive review of the tournament’s gala dinner.
American Tennis Star Critiques Local Food
Townsend, currently part of the US roster alongside Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, McCartney Kessler, and Hailey Baptiste, shared her distaste for several Chinese delicacies on Instagram.
The doubles World No. 1 reacted with shock to items like sea cucumber, turtle, and bullfrog, calling the buffet “the craziest thing I’ve ever seen” and rating the dishes 2 out of 10.
In her Instagram stories, Townsend remarked, “These people are literally killing frogs… Aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils?” She added that the dishes’ preparation with chilies, peppers, and onions only heightened her surprise.
Fans Call Out Cultural Insensitivity
Social media quickly exploded with criticism of Townsend’s comments.
Many branded them “ignorant” and disrespectful toward Chinese culture.
One fan wrote, “This is very offensive, to mock other people’s cultural food.”
Another added, “She doesn’t have to like the local cuisine, but going to another country and mocking the food she’s been welcomed with is disrespectful and lacks good manners.”
Questions about whether her remarks were racist also circulated, with some highlighting her use of the phrase “these people” while discussing the cuisine.
Context: Recent US Open Controversy
Townsend had just faced a tense situation at the US Open, where opponent Jelena Ostapenko attacked her for allegedly having “no class” and “no education” after losing a match.
Townsend, who is Black, denied racism allegations, stating the comments were about tennis etiquette, not personal or cultural judgment.
Despite Ostapenko’s later apology, Townsend said she had not been in touch with her former opponent, emphasizing that her focus remained on performing in the Billie Jean King Cup.
Townsend Stresses Focus on Tennis
Townsend explained her mindset, stating: “I have a goal while I’m here.
Just keeping the main thing the main thing, which is to continue to grow as a player and play my best tennis.”
She made it clear that distractions, including social media controversies, would not derail her performance in Shenzhen.
Balancing Performance and Public Scrutiny
While Townsend’s comments have drawn widespread criticism, she remains determined to focus on her career.
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges public figures face when navigating cultural differences while under the global spotlight.