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US tennis star Taylor Townsend posted an apology video on social media after she was facing hard setback over her comments that criticized the kitchen in China In front of Billie Jean King Cup final in Shenzhen.
In a video that was broadcast on her Instagram stories Tuesday, Top-ranked double player approached the controversy that began when she made disappointing remarks about a dinner buffet in a series of previous posts on the social media platform.
Taylor Townsend in action against Mirra Andreva in the third round of the women’s singles in 2025 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, August 29, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imag photos)
“I just wanted to come here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I understand that I am as privileged as a professional athlete to travel all over the world and experience cultural differences that is one of the things I love so much about what I do,” she began.
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“I’ve only had the most amazing experience and time here, and the tournament and everyone have been so kind and so gracious, and things that I said were not representative of it at all and I just really wanted to apologize.
“There is no excuse, there are no words and for me – I want to be better,” she continued. “I’m really, really grateful for my country for being able to represent them and be better, and that’s all I can do. So I just really apologize.”
Townsend, 29, broadcast videos of local dishes, including bullfrogs and Turtles and joked that she should “talk to HR” about the quality of the food.
Taylor Townsend responds after missing a shot against Barbora Krejcikova (not depicted) on day eight of 2025 US Open Tennis Championships in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, August 31, 2025. (GEOFF BURKE/IMAGN -PICTURES)
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Townsend is No. 1 -Ranged Double Player and has won two Grand Slam -Titles in Double Australian Open in January and in Wimbledon in 2024.
In 2021, wrestler and actor John Cena sent out a similar apology After he was facing criticism in China for calling Taiwan a country while promoting a movie on a Taiwanese TV company.
His comments triggered an immediate setback in China, causing him to go to the Chinese social media site Weibo and issue an apology in Mandarin. Then he shared the same video on X (formerly Twitter).
Taylor Townsend celebrates after winning the first set against Mirra Andreva (not depicted) on day six of the 2025 US Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, August 29, 2025. (GEOFF BURKE/IMAGN -PICTURES)
Townsend is in China for the Billie Jean King Cup final in Shenzhen. The United States is scheduled to play Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
