Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa recently became embroiled in a racism controversy during her visit to the China Open, part of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour held in Beijing. The incident began, as reported by The Telegraph, when Badosa’s coach posted a photo on Instagram showing Badosa making a ‘slant-eye’ gesture using chopsticks, an action widely perceived as racially insensitive.
Formerly ranked world No. 2 by the WTA, Badosa defended her actions, explaining that her gesture was not intended to mock any particular group. She stated, “We weren’t even imitating Asian people. I was playing around with my face and wrinkles,” adding that she loves Asia and has many Asian friends. However, as criticism grew, Badosa ultimately admitted her wrongdoing and posted an apology on social media.
In her apology, Badosa admitted, “Really sorry, I didn’t know this was offensive (or) towards racism. “She took responsibility for her mistake and expressed a desire to learn more. Following the incident, she decided not to participate in the upcoming tournament in Wuhan, China. Although she officially cited gastroenteritis as the reason for her withdrawal, The Telegraph speculated that concerns about her actions escalating into issues with Chinese authorities might have influenced her decision.
This incident echoes a similar case involving model Gigi Hadid, who was denied a visa for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai in 2017 due to a similar racial controversy. The situation highlights the ongoing global sensitivity around racism and the importance of public figures being mindful of their actions.
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