How to shoot yourself in the foot in a split second. Paula Badosa’s Chinese tour had started so well, with a good run until the semi-final last week in Beijing.
But after her defeat against Coco Gauff, her coach Pol Toledo posted a photo on Instagram – tagging the official account of the tournament… We see the 26-year-old Spanish player in an ambiguous posture, chopsticks in hands, as if she wanted to reproduce the physical characteristics of someone born in China. Outcry on the Web.
“Oh no, don’t take it like that. I never thought it would be interpreted this way, she wrote on Instagram, in response to a comment. We didn’t even imitate Asians. I played with my face and my wrinkles. I love Asia, one of my favorite people, and I have many Asian friends. They are the nicest.”
Paula Badosa didn’t really help her case with this message. Called a hypocrite by an Internet user, she once again said a few words of apology. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know it was offensive or racist. It’s my fault. I take full responsibility for it, she wrote on “X”. These mistakes will allow me to learn for next time. I hope you understand. I love you all.”
While she was due to play in the Wuhan tournament this week, the 15th WTA player withdrew, officially due to gastroenteritis. Funny coincidence, right?
