Emmanuel LANGELLIER, Media365: published on Wednesday October 9, 2024 at 9:45 a.m.
After creating controversy due to a questionable photo, Paula Badosa withdrew from the WTA 1000 in Wuhan, China.
While the men are competing in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, the WTA 1000 in Wuhan has just started in China for the women. Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng are there. On the other hand, it is already over for the French Diane Parry, eliminated in a surprising way by a player much lower ranked than her, and Paula Badosa. Recent semi-finalist at the WTA 1000 in Beijing (beaten by Gauff, future winner), the Spaniard is in good shape and has returned to a very good level in recent weeks. She could have shown off her beautiful outfit in China but Chinese spectators will not see Stefanos Tsitsipas’ darling.
Equipped with chopsticks, Badosa pretends to narrow her eyes
The 15th player in the world has indeed given up her participation in Wuhan. Paulo Badosa officially withdrew due to gastroenteritis, while she was due to face Ajla Tomljanovic in the 2nd round on Tuesday. The real reason, however, would be far from this little health glitch. The 26-year-old created controversy following a photo published on social networks by her coach and then “sunk” herself with an awkward comment. The Spaniard got people talking because of a photo where she pretends to narrow her eyes, armed with chopsticks that Asian people are used to eating with.
Badosa: “These mistakes will allow me to learn for next time”
Then, accused of racism, Paula Badosa wrote on Instagram: “Oh no, don’t take it like that. I never thought it would be interpreted this way. 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. » A user then asked her to stop being hypocritical, to which she replied: “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know that was offensive. It’s my fault. I take full responsibility for it. These mistakes will allow me to learn for next time. I hope you understand. » After his bad buzz, Badosa will perhaps be consoled in the coming hours by Tsitsipas, freshly eliminated in Shanghai by Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16, Wednesday morning.
