The former world No 2 tennis player Paula Badosa has apologised after a photo emerged of her appearing to imitate a Chinese face in Beijing last week.

Paula Badosa will not get the chance to apologise to fans in person at the Wuhan Open after the world No. 15 pulled out of the competition, hours on from causing a racism storm for a photo posted while in China.

Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa has issued a public apology after her photo during the China Open received backlash with accusations of racism.

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

Paula Badosa’s recent trip to Beijing with boyfriend and fellow tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, intended as a warm embrace of Chinese culture, has quickly turned controversial. While the couple earned praise initially—Badosa for her friendly “Ni hao” greeting on Instagram,

Paula Badosa has pulled out of the Wuhan Open just days after coming under fire in China. The Spanish tennis champion was pictured holding chopsticks up to her closed eyes in an Instagram gallery posted by her own coach Pol Toledo. Criticised by social media users and tennis fans, Badosa was quickly on the defence.

The Spanish woman told her version, apologizing and defending herself after the serious accusations that rained down on her

Paula Badosa has been accused of mocking Chinese people in a controversial photo shared after her participation at the China Open. Pol Toledo, Badosa’s physical trainer, shared a series of photos featuring Badosa and other members of the Spaniard’s team from their trip to Beijing in an Instagram post.

Paula Badosa has apologised after a photo of her holding chopsticks to her face sparked outrage online. The Spanish tennis star was competing in the China Open last week where she was knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual champion Coco Gauff.