“Mix of Arrogance and Ignorance” – Taylor Townsend Invites Backlash for her Controversial Remarks on a Dinner Buffet in China

Taylor Townsend had a tense clash with Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open.

“Mix of Arrogance and Ignorance” – Taylor Townsend Invites Backlash for her Controversial Remarks on a Dinner Buffet in China

Taylor Townsend is facing the heat on social media (via The Tennis Letter)

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Taylor Townsend faced unexpected attention off the court ahead of Team USA’s quarterfinal tie at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China. The world No. 1 doubles player shared her surprise over the food served at the tournament’s gala dinner through Instagram stories that quickly spread online.

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals, held in Asia for the first time since 1989, brought together eight national teams at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Team USA entered with a strong roster featuring Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, McCartney Kessler, Hailey Baptiste, and Townsend. Their opening challenge was set against Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. Townsend said on Instagram:

I’m honestly just so shocked at what I saw in the dinner buffet. As I go back and I look… these people are literally killing frogs… bullfrogs. Aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils and stuff? And the fact that it’s all stewed up with chillies, peppers, and onions. Like oh, you really made this a dish. All in all I’d give this like a solid 2 out of 10 so far, because this is crazy.

During the team dinner, Townsend recorded her reactions to some of the buffet’s offerings, including large sausages and other traditional dishes. Joined by teammate Hailey Baptiste, she joked about the unusual menu while expressing clear discomfort. Later, from her hotel room, Townsend reflected further, questioning the safety and preparation of seafood and meat items like bullfrog and turtle.

On the competition side, the American team faces a tough path. Kazakhstan arrives with top-10 star Elena Rybakina and experienced Yulia Putintseva, who helped secure their finals berth earlier this year. Under captain Lindsay Davenport, Team USA seeks its 19th Billie Jean King Cup crown, though the squad has lifted the trophy just once in the last 25 years.

Taylor Townsend causes social media backlash

American tennis star Taylor Townsend is facing backlash on social media after posting videos that criticized the food in China. Many fans felt her comments disrespected local culture, sparking widespread negative reactions online.

Taylor Townsend (via X/Rena Williams)
Taylor Townsend (Image via X/Rena Williams)

Here are some reactions from fans:

The controversy came just as Townsend arrived for the WTA Asian swing, where she hoped to build on her strong US Open run. In New York, she reached the doubles final and advanced to the Round of 16 in singles, defeating Jelena Ostapenko and Mirra Andreeva along the way.

Tensions between Townsend and Ostapenko had already made headlines earlier in the season. After their US Open match, Ostapenko confronted Townsend at the net, accusing her of lacking “class” and “education.” Ostapenko later issued an apology for the exchange.

For now, Townsend has not responded to the latest criticism. Whether she chooses to speak out or remain silent, the off-court drama threatens to overshadow her impressive performances on court.

Taylor Townsend is going to Riyadh

The WTA has confirmed the first three doubles teams to qualify for the 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF. Gaby Dabrowski & Erin Routliffe, Taylor Townsend & Katerina Siniakova, and the Italian duo of Sara Errani & Jasmine Paolini have all secured their spots at the season-ending championship. The event will run from November 1-8 and bring together the top eight doubles teams and singles players of the year.

Taylor Townsend (via X/WTA)
Taylor Townsend (via X/WTA)

Townsend, the current World No. 1 in doubles, will team up again with Siniakova for their second straight Finals appearance as a pair. The Czech-American duo has enjoyed a stellar season, winning titles at the Australian Open and the WTA 1000 Dubai event, while also reaching the US Open final. They added deep runs at Indian Wells, Miami, and Wimbledon to their résumé. Townsend’s consistency propelled her to the top of the doubles rankings, making her the first mother to ever hold the No. 1 spot.

Dabrowski and Routliffe also return, qualifying for the third consecutive year. The defending champions won titles in Cincinnati, Stuttgart, and the US Open, giving them their second Grand Slam crown as a team. They started the year with a semifinal run at the Australian Open and now aim to become the first pair since Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic (2018-19) to defend the WTA Finals title successfully.

Errani and Paolini have been one of the most consistent duos on tour this season. Their highlights include lifting trophies at the WTA 1000 in Doha, the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, and their breakthrough Grand Slam victory at Roland Garros.

They also enjoyed a 14-match win streak during the clay season, capped by back-to-back titles in Rome and Paris before a runner-up finish in Berlin. Their form secures them a second straight Finals appearance together.

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