Taylor Townsend faced a hostile reception at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen after making controversial remarks about Chinese cuisine earlier in the week. The American doubles No. 1 was met with loud boos and jeers as she walked alongside Jessica Pegula for a crucial doubles rubber at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena on Thursday.
Despite the hostile atmosphere, the pair delivered under pressure, defeating Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva and Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-6(1) to keep Team USA’s campaign alive.
Why Did Taylor Townsend’s Comments Spark Outrage in China?
The reaction from the Chinese crowd highlighted the fallout from Townsend’s recent social media posts, which sparked accusations of cultural insensitivity and even racism. The 29-year-old had been documenting her time in Shenzhen ahead of the tournament when she filmed the dinner buffet provided at her hotel.
In a series of Instagram stories, Townsend expressed shock and disbelief at traditional delicacies such as bullfrogs, turtles, and sea cucumbers being served. Her comments quickly circulated online, drawing outrage from local fans who felt she had disrespected Chinese culinary traditions.
Townsend’s words struck a nerve, particularly when she appeared to dismiss the dishes as unsafe and made disparaging remarks. “Day 3, dinner and look… Yo, what the hell? What the helly, I’m saying?” she exclaimed in one video, laughing as she zoomed in on the food. In another clip, she told viewers, “You guys, this is crazy. This angle is f**king nuts. I’ve never seen one of these up close.”
The reaction escalated when she questioned the preparation of bullfrogs, saying, “These people are really literally killing bullfrogs, aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that are giving you warts and boils?” She then described the sight of the dishes stewed with chilies, peppers, and onions as shocking, adding, “Oh, you really made this a dish.”
Fans and commentators blasted the phrasing, particularly her use of “these people,” which many interpreted as condescending and derogatory. The backlash grew quickly, with Townsend being accused of perpetuating stereotypes and disrespecting the host nation while competing in one of the most prestigious team competitions in tennis.
Chinese fans voiced their displeasure both online and in person, and the chorus of boos at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena made it clear the controversy had not been forgotten. A spectator even bought a placard to the match that read, “Taylor ,eat more bullfrogs then you’ll play better.”
Taylor Townsend get booed by Chinese fans pic.twitter.com/7X45K2YnUk
— double (@doublekeen) September 18, 2025
Chinese fans：Taylor（Townsend）,eat more bullfrogs then you’ll play better. pic.twitter.com/YhBmzk7bYk
— double (@doublekeen) September 18, 2025
How Did Townsend Respond to the Backlash?
Townsend attempted to limit the damage with a public apology. On Tuesday, just a day before the United States took on Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals, she uploaded a video to her Instagram stories addressing the issue head-on. “Hi everybody, I just wanted to come on here and sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart,” Townsend said.
“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.”
She stressed that her comments did not reflect her appreciation for the kindness she has received in China, adding, “I have had nothing but the most amazing experiences and such a wonderful time here at the tournament. Everyone has been so kind and so gracious. The things that I said were not representative of that at all. And I just truly wanted to apologize.”
Her statement, however, did little to sway public opinion in Shenzhen. Many felt the apology lacked sincerity, pointing out that her initial videos carried a tone of mockery that could not easily be walked back. Social media platforms in China and abroad were filled with criticism, with fans calling her behavior careless and unprofessional.
The discontent carried over to the stands during Thursday’s doubles encounter, when the crowd seized the moment to make their frustration known.
