American doubles champion faces fierce criticism for social media posts mocking traditional dishes at Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen
World number one doubles tennis player Taylor Townsend has issued a heartfelt video apology after sparking international outrage with comments about Chinese cuisine that critics labelled “culturally insensitive” and “disrespectful” during her stay in Shenzhen for the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
The 29-year-old American, who made history in July as the first mother to achieve the world number one doubles ranking, posted multiple Instagram stories on Tuesday showing her shocked reactions to traditional Chinese delicacies including bullfrog and soft-shelled turtle served at a team dinner buffet. The posts, which have since been deleted, showed Townsend describing the spread as “the craziest thing I’ve ever seen” whilst questioning whether the dishes were safe to eat.
In one particularly controversial segment, Townsend filmed herself saying: “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?” She went on to mock the preparation of the dish, adding: “And the fact that it’s all stewed up with chillies, peppers, and onions. Like oh, you really made this a dish.”
The doubles specialist, who is representing the United States at the 62nd edition of the tournament being held from 16-21 September at Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena, concluded her review by rating the buffet experience “a solid two out of 10,” stating that noodles were “the only thing that we ate.”
Her comments triggered an immediate and fierce backlash across both Western and Chinese social media platforms, with the hashtag “American tennis player publicly insults Chinese food” trending on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter. Critics accused Townsend of displaying ignorance about Chinese culinary traditions, where bullfrog has been considered a delicacy for centuries and is widely consumed across the country, particularly in Sichuan province where it originated.
“There’s no excuse, there’s no words, and for me, I will be better,” Townsend said in her Wednesday morning apology video, appearing visibly emotional as she addressed the controversy. I understand that I am so privileged as a professional athlete to be able to travel all around the world and experience cultural differences, which is one of the things I love so much about what I do.
The apology came less than 24 hours after her initial posts went viral, with thousands of comments flooding her Instagram account. Some users resorted to personal attacks, whilst others attempted to educate the tennis star about the nutritional value and cultural significance of the dishes she had criticised. Bullfrog, known as niúwā in Mandarin, is particularly popular in Shanghai and across China, prized for its tender texture that falls between chicken and fish, and its high protein content with relatively low fat.
“I have had nothing but the most amazing experience and time here and in the tournament,” Townsend continued in her apology. “Everyone has been so kind and so gracious and the things that I said are not representative of that at all. I just truly want to apologise.”
The incident represents a significant misstep for Townsend at what should have been a triumphant moment in her career. Having achieved the world number one doubles ranking on 28 July 2025, becoming the 50th woman and 13th American to hold that distinction, she arrived in China as one of the tournament’s star attractions alongside regular doubles partner Katerina Siniakova.
This year marks the first time the Billie Jean King Cup Finals have been held in Asia since Tokyo hosted in 1989, with Shenzhen securing hosting rights through 2027. Tournament director Conchita Martinez had specifically moved the event from its traditional November slot to September to coincide with the WTA’s Asian swing, making it easier for top players to participate.
The controversy couldn’t come at a worse time for Team USA, who face Kazakhstan in their quarter-final match on Thursday. Townsend, who won Grand Slam doubles titles at Wimbledon 2024 and the Australian Open earlier this year, is expected to play a crucial role in America’s bid for a record-extending 19th title in the competition formerly known as the Fed Cup.
This is not Townsend’s first high-profile confrontation in recent weeks. At the US Open last month, she was involved in a heated exchange with Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko following their second-round singles match. Ostapenko accused Townsend of having “no class” and “no education” after the American failed to apologise for a net cord during their encounter, which Townsend won 7-5, 6-1.
The irony of that incident was not lost on social media users, with several pointing out the contradiction between Townsend’s response to Ostapenko’s comments about education and class, and her own behaviour in China. Ostapenko had subsequently apologised for her remarks, citing a language barrier for her poor choice of words.
Industry experts suggest the incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by international sporting events in fostering cultural understanding. “Athletes are ambassadors for their countries when they compete abroad,” noted one sports management professional who requested anonymity. Social media has amplified both the opportunities and risks of cultural exchange in professional sport.
The timing is particularly sensitive given China’s significant investment in hosting major tennis events. The WTA Finals were previously held in Shenzhen from 2019 to 2021 before moving to other locations, and the China Open follows immediately after the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, demonstrating the country’s growing importance to the global tennis calendar.
Despite the controversy, Townsend is expected to compete as scheduled when Team USA faces Kazakhstan. The American squad, captained by Lindsay Davenport and featuring Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Hailey Baptiste, and McCartney Kessler alongside Townsend, remains one of the favourites for the title despite the absence of stars like Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka who withdrew before the tournament.
“I’m really, really thankful to my country to be able to represent them and to be better, and that’s all that I can do,” Townsend concluded in her apology, acknowledging the responsibility that comes with representing the United States on the international stage.
The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance athletes must strike when sharing their experiences on social media, particularly when travelling to countries with different cultural norms and culinary traditions. For Townsend, who has built a reputation as one of tennis’s most charismatic and outspoken personalities, the episode represents a learning moment in her journey as a global sports figure.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on how Townsend and Team USA respond on court, with many hoping that her tennis can do the talking after an unfortunate start to what China had intended as a celebration of women’s tennis in Asia. The defending champions Italy, led by world number seven Jasmine Paolini, await the winners of the USA-Kazakhstan match in the semi-finals.
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Image Credit:
Taylor Townsend (USA) at the 2012 US Open — photo by Picasa, CC BY-SA 2.0.
