Paula Badosa has found herself in the midst of a bizarre situation as fans are ripping over what they believe was a clearly racist post towards Asian people.
Last week, the world No. 15 competed at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing. After losing to Coco Gauff in the semifinal and seeing her campaign finish in a disappointing way since she was up by a set and a break against the eventual champion, the Spanish tennis star appeared in some of the photos that her coach Pol Toledo posted on Instagram.
In one picture, Badosa can be seen sitting in a restaurant and using chopsticks to pull her eyes. That led to the former world No. 2 receiving some strong criticism and backlash. Initially, she defended herself by providing an explanation and insisting that her intention absolutely wasn’t to “imitate Asians” let alone be racist.
Paula Badosa© Pol Toledo/Instagram – Fair Use
“Oh no, please don’t get it that way. Never thought it would get interpreted this way, we weren’t even imitating Asian people. I was playing around with my face and wrinkles. I love Asia it’s one of my favorite people and have plenty of Asian friends. They are the kindest,” Badosa wrote in the comment section.
Does Paula Badosa seriously think “I have Asian friends” is a legitimate defence for racism? #tennis pic.twitter.com/RCuqMhW20N
— Anthony Webb 🍉 (@anthonyqld) October 7, 2024
However, fans still weren’t happy with the Spaniard at all, with one writing: “Not badosa lying through her teeth… ‘I was playing around with my face and wrinkles’ girl please be so for real for a second.”
After being accused of lying, the former world No. 2 claimed she didn’t know it could be interpreted in a racist context and admitted her mistake.
“Hey guys! Really sorry didn’t know this was offensive towards racism. My mistake. I take full responsibility. This mistakes will make me learn for next time. Hope you understand…. I love you all.”
Hey guys! Really sorry didn’t know this was offensive towards racism. My mistake. I take full responsibility. This mistakes will make me learn for next time.
Hope you understand…. I love you all ❤️
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) October 7, 2024
Badosa deleted some posts, which led to more scrutiny and backlash
On Instagram, coach Toledo removed the post that landed the Spanish tennis star criticism. While some were scrutinizing the Spanish tennis star, some also defended her by arguing that some people were just trying to find a reason to criticize someone.
“You didn’t do anything wrong…unfortunately there are people who always have to give their opinion. The problems are different. Always on your side…you’re an example to follow,” one person wrote to the world No. 15. She responded by dropping three heart emojis.
“Paula, the world is basically F’d up. I would joke like that too if in your situation. It’s effing weak of those who feel offended by a joke. Live your life!” another person wrote. Reacting to that, Badosa responded by posting sad and praying emojis.
The four-time WTA champion responding to these posts caused her to receive more scrutiny. Those posts were then deleted.
Badosa makes racist Asian slant-eye gesture. First lies says she was “playing with wrinkles”🤥Then “apologizes” for not knowing but only replies to replies that say she did nothing wrong, people too sensitive, just a joke etc. Paula clearly didn’t learn & isn’t actually sorry👎😡 https://t.co/a8TCGW6H4K pic.twitter.com/ANFn43ewVq
— gamesetmatchup (@gamesetmatchup) October 7, 2024
It wasn’t the first time that Badosa drew criticism during her time in Beijing
At this year’s China Open, the former world No. 2 also appeared in the doubles event with Karolina Muchova, where they defeated Anna Danilina and Irina Khromacheva 6-3 6-2 in their debut as a team. But their doubles run didn’t continue after they gave a walkover to their round-of-16 opponents.
Khromacheva, who is solely focused on doubles, was left extremely annoyed with that move and she absolutely unloaded on Badosa and her Czech doubles partner.
“Bravo WTA. We lost to singles players in doubles in Beijing tournament… And second round they are pulling out cause they don’t care about doubles… but they continue to play singles this week… Completely crazy by taking place of teams who could enter and participate fully… I had this situation twice this year that when they won first round they pulling out… Without respect to doubles players… And also for people who are signing on-site trying to get in… Very nice rule. Plus tournament losing one match on the schedule… Respect in WTA tour, no didn’t hear it exists… Crazy,” Khromacheva wrote on her Instagram Story.
While the Spanish tennis star didn’t directly mention the Russian doubles player, she appeared to issue a response.
“People judge without fully understanding anything. It’s brutal (laughing emoji),” she wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Badosa is still in China but this week in a different town as she is preparing to kick off her campaign at the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, where she plays against Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round.
It remains to be seen if the recent incidents will leave any impact on the Spaniard and if she can enjoy another big run during this year’s Asian swing.