Taylor Townsend decided to withdraw from the WTA 1000 China Open following her participation in the Billie Jean King Cup, which was marred by comments she made against Chinese cuisine—comments many deemed racist—and which caused a negative public reaction when she appeared on the court. The American also decided to pull out of the Wuhan Open—also in China—surprisingly absenting herself from the final two WTA 1000 events of the season.

The doubles World No. 2 was involved in a controversy after recording videos on social media where she mocked Chinese food. She was met with boos and jeers from the local public when she came out to play the BJK Cup doubles alongside Jessica Pegula. Fans did not forgive Townsend's remarks, and she was widely heckled; some even showed up with signs in respons

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