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Taylor Townsend Apologizes After China Outcry Over Videos Mocking Local Cuisine

The world No. 1 in doubles called her posts inexcusable, pledging to be better.

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Sep 2, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Taylor Townsend of the United States and Katerina Siniakova of Czech Republic in action against Venus Williams of the United States and Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the quarterfinal of the women’s doubles at the US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images/File Photo
Taylor Townsend, of the United States, returns a shot against Barbora Krejcikova, of the Czech Republic, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York City on August 31, 2025.

Overview

  • The American posted now-deleted Instagram videos from a Shenzhen buffet, deriding dishes such as bullfrogs, soft‑shelled turtles and sea cucumber.
  • A Weibo hashtag about the episode became a top trending topic, drawing more than 50 million views, according to multiple outlets including AFP.
  • Townsend’s apology video on Instagram said there was “no excuse” for her remarks and emphasized her privilege to experience cultural differences.
  • Some responses on Chinese social media included racist attacks, according to AFP reporting.
  • She remains with Team USA at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, with the U.S. scheduled to face Kazakhstan in Thursday’s quarterfinal in Shenzhen.