SHENZHEN, China – American tennis player Taylor Townsend has issued a public apology “from the bottom of her heart” for derogatory comments related to Chinese food.Townsend’s statement, which followed her initial comments on social media, precedes the United States’ match against Kazakhstan in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China.Townsend, 29 years old and currently number 1 in the world in doubles, shared videos of local dishes, including bullfrogs and turtles, accompanied by jokes about the quality of the food, indicating that “he would need to speak with Human Resources” on the subject.Subsequently, the tennis player turned to Instagram again on Wednesday to apologize, after receiving online criticism.Here’s the description of your Instagram post:
“I just wanted to come in here and sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart,” expressed Townsend, who acknowledged her privilege as a professional athlete to be able to travel the world and experience diverse cultures.
Taylor TownsendThe match between the United States and Kazakhstan is scheduled for Thursday in the quarterfinals.“[It] is one of the things I love most about what I do, and I have had nothing but the most incredible experience here and at the tournament,” Townsend added. “Everyone has been so kind and generous. And what I said was not representative of that at all. And I just wanted to truly apologize. There is no excuse. There are no words. And for me, I will simply be better.”
Taylor Townsend
