Tennis star in racism storm after ‘imitating Asian people’ in photo with chopsticks
9 October 2024, 08:01
The former World Tennis No2 has apologised after posing for a photo on social media holding chopsticks up to her eyes and squinting.
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Paola Badosa has insisted she was not ‘imitating Asian people’ and was instead ‘playing with my face and wrinkles’.
A photo posted on Instagram by her coach Pol Toledo Bague shows Badosa in a restaurant pulling a face while holding chopsticks to her eyes.
She went on to post an apology on Twitter: “Really sorry didn’t know this was offensive towards racism. My mistake. I take full responsibility. This mistakes [sic] will make me learn for next time.”
She continued: “I love Asia … and have plenty of Asian friends. They are the kindest.” Toledo later deleted the photo from his Instagram account.
One day after the post appeared, Badosa, 26, who is ranked No15 in the world, pulled out of a tournament in Wuhan reportedly with a bout of gastroenteritis.
One person wrote online: “Wow. And a guest of the Chinese & accepting their money.”
