Taylor Townsend Apologizes for Cultural Misunderstanding Ahead of Tournament

Tennis player Taylor Townsend has issued an apology for remarks she made regarding food at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenzhen, China. Townsend's comments, shared on social media, were met with backlash for their critical tone towards the local cuisine.

In her apology, the 29-year-old acknowledged her position of privilege as a professional athlete and expressed regret for the misunderstanding. She emphasized her appreciation for the diverse cultural experiences encountered throughout her international career.

Despite the controversy, Townsend, who had a well-publicized argument with Jelena Ostapenko at the U.S. Open, highlighted the graciousness of her hosts and reaffirmed her commitment to embracing different cultures. The U.S. team, including Townsend, is set to face Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals.

(With inputs from agencies.)