Tennis Star Apologizes After Striking Racist Pose Amid China Open | EUROtoday

Spanish tennis participant Paula Badosa has reportedly apologized after she was criticized for pulling the corners of her eyes with chopsticks whereas visiting China to compete in tournaments.

Badosa’s coach, Pol Toledo Bagué, posted a since-deleted picture to his Instagram web page over the weekend exhibiting Badosa making the pose, in accordance with media protection of the incident. He purportedly tagged the account of the China Open match.

Badosa, who was defeated in Saturday’s China Open semifinals by American Coco Gauff, responded to accusations of racism in an Instagram remark.

“Never thought it would get interpreted this way [and] we weren’t even imitating asian people. I was playing around with my face and wrinkles,” she reportedly wrote. “I love Asia … and have plenty of asian friends. They are the kindest.”

She was slated to compete Tuesday on the Wuhan Open match, however withdrew on the final minute, citing gastrointestinal sickness.

Ahead of her withdrawal, she had posted an apology to social media.

“Really sorry [I] didn’t know this was offensive towards racism,” she wrote, in accordance with screenshots circulating on-line. “My mistake. I take full responsibility. This mistakes will make me learn for next time. Hope you understand…. I love you all.”

That message additionally appears to have been deleted. On Wednesday, she posted a smiling selfie and a video of herself dancing to her Instagram tales.

Badosa didn’t instantly return HuffPost’s request for remark.

Spain was concerned in the same incident in China in 2008, when Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics. Members of the European nation’s basketball groups have been pictured pulling their eyes to the facet in an commercial revealed in a preferred Spanish newspaper. Separately, gamers and employees members from the Spanish tennis federation have been additionally photographed making the racist gesture.