"Has to be satire"; "Admit you're ignorant and apologize"- Fans slam Paula Badosa's "ridiculous" response to seemingly mocking Asians after China Open

Many tennis fans criticized Paula Badosa for her response to criticism of her controversial actions. She was seen by some fans as seemingly mocking Asians following her exit from the 2024 China Open. The Spaniard said in response she did not imitate Asian people and it was not her intention to make it seem so.

Badosa concluded her campaign at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, where she reached the semifinals before falling to fourth seed and eventual champion Coco Gauff 6-4, 4-6, 2-6.

Following her exit from the tournament, Badosa's trainer Pol Toledo took to social media to share an image of the Spaniard holding chopsticks to her eyelids.

This action did not sit well with many tennis fans as they interpreted the gesture as mocking Asians.

Following these objections and criticism from fans, Badosa said in a comment on Instagram that she had no intention of imitating Asian people. She said she was pointing out her own "wrinkles" and expressed her love for Asia and its people, adding she has many Asian friends. She said,

"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 one of my favorite people and have plenty of Asian friends. They are the kindest."

However, her explanation brought further criticism from fans on social media.

One comment from a fan opined the Spaniard's response was "satire" while another called it "ïgnorant."

"LMAO this has to be satire," a fan posted.

Comment byu/Glad_Frosting_188 from discussion intennis

"Such a bigoted person. The classic "I have black friends so I can't be racist" lol. Just admit you're ignorant and apologize girl!" a fan wrote.

Other fans also found fault with Bados's response.

"“I was playing around with my face and wrinkles” Wake up, babe. Another ridiculous AF excuse has just dropped," a fan posted.

Here are some more fan reactions:

"Kind Asian people + I have Asian friends + praying emoji. The worst possible combination tbh," a fan posted.

"Just when you thought she couldn't make it worse...." a fan wrote.

"Cowardly response from paula," a fan posted.

Comment byu/Glad_Frosting_188 from discussion intennis

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Paula Badosa will next compete at Wuhan Open 2024

Paula Badosa at the 2024 China Open [Source: Getty]

Following her campaign at the 2024 China Open, Paula Badosa will next compete at the 2024 Wuhan Open.

Badosa was seeded 15th in Beijing and began her campaign in the second round after she received a first-round bye. She defeated Viktoriya Tomova, qualifier Rebecca Sramkova, second seed Jessica Pegula, and wild card Zhang Shuai before falling to Coco Gauff in the semifinals.

Badosa is seeded 14th at the WTA 1000 hardcourt tournament in Wuhan and will kick off her campaign against Ajla Tomljanovic, who is using a protected ranking to enter the tournament, in the first round.

Badosa has faced Tomljanovic three times on the WTA tour, winning two of those encounters. Their most recent meeting was in the second round of the 2022 Cincinnati Open, where the Australian won 6-7(3), 6-0, 6-2.