American doubles specialist Taylor Townsend has found herself in the center of controversy after posting a video mocking Chinese food while attending a buffet during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China.
The video, shared on Townsend’s social media, quickly sparked outrage among tennis fans worldwide, particularly across Chinese social media platforms, where her remarks were widely criticized as disrespectful.
Realizing the backlash, Townsend moved swiftly to issue an apology video. However, many fans felt the damage had already been done, with the incident overshadowing the U.S. team’s preparations for their upcoming clash against Kazakhstan in the group stage of the prestigious competition.
Taylor Townsend issues an apology for the comments she made about the Chinese buffet:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 17, 2025
“I will be better.” https://t.co/HG0XbRPh2E pic.twitter.com/OZDTnlU0WJ
The reaction was not limited to fans. China’s top-ranked player and Olympic medalist Qinwen Zheng publicly voiced her discontent, taking to social media to directly call out Townsend.
“You disrespect the Chinese culture with your arrogance. If you want fried chicken, there’s KFC at the airport in Shenzhen,” Zheng wrote, tagging Townsend in her post. Zheng’s bold response has further amplified the controversy, ensuring that the topic continues to trend online.
zheng roasting townsend pic.twitter.com/Xzp73RKzbv
— fakemcgregor (@fakemcgregor1) September 17, 2025
With the Billie Jean King Cup Finals underway, the episode has placed Townsend and Team USA under an uncomfortable spotlight. While Townsend has expressed regret, it remains to be seen how the incident will impact her public image and whether it will affect the atmosphere around the American squad during the high-profile event.
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