WTA CEO despatched silent warning to gamers after Paula Badosa’s controversial publish

The WTA seemingly addressed the Paula Badosa controversy in silence as gamers obtained an e-mail by which they have been warned about “distasteful” social media posts and that it “won’t be tolerated.”

In late September and early November, the Spanish tennis star competed on the WTA 1000 match in Beijing, the place she made the semifinal earlier than dropping to Coco Gauff. After her marketing campaign got here to an finish, technical coach Pol Toledo Blanco posted some pictures on Instagram and in a single the world No. 12 could possibly be seen utilizing chopstics to drag her eyes in a selfie.

It did not take lengthy earlier than Badosa began receiving criticism and backlash as some followers accused her of “racism” towards Asian folks. The photograph – which was later deleted – drew plenty of unfavorable consideration on the four-time WTA champion.

Then, got here the Magda Linette case and the Pole posting an image from Wuhan – the place the place the COVID outbreak began – and captioning the publish: “The virus database has been up to date.” The general public response was the identical as within the Badosa case.

In line with a report, WTA CEO Portia Archer despatched an e-mail to gamers, by which the related made it clear that they do not need athletes to be posting something that could possibly be interpreted in a approach that negatively impacts the picture of the WTA model. Within the e-mail obtained by a British paper, no participant was straight talked about but it surely positively appeared like a response to among the controversial scenario that recently occurred. 

“Tournaments and international locations host us as their friends at appreciable effort and expense, and it’s of absolute significance to respect the native tradition of the areas we compete in, all of which make our international Tour successful. Distasteful content material of any variety (comparable to photos, references, textual content, video) regarding the tradition, historical past, or hurtful stereotypes of a gaggle of individuals or a area is inconsistent with the values the WTA represents and won’t be tolerated,” Archer mentioned within the e-mail, by way of British paper i.

“Not solely do such dangerous actions generate unfavorable protection and mirror poorly for the athlete, however additionally they impression girls’s skilled tennis as an entire, together with having unfavorable results on the hard-working group and employees that set up WTA occasions. These actions may pose a danger across the whole match, with safety, transport, and different areas all put in potential jeopardy. There is no such thing as a place for this within the WTA.”

How Badosa responded to the criticism?

After followers observed the publish in query and accused the previous world No. 2 of racism, she insisted that it wasn’t her intention to mimic the Asians, mock them, or something like that. 

“Oh no, please do not get it that approach. By no means thought it could get interpreted this fashion, we weren’t even imitating Asian folks. I used to be taking part in round with my face and wrinkles. I really like Asia it is considered one of my favourite folks and have loads of Asian associates. They’re the kindest,” Badosa wrote on Instagram on the time.

Sadly for the Spaniard, her preliminary clarification wasn’t actually accepted. Finally, the 27-year-old admitted that taking a selfie in that approach wasn’t proper however remained adamant that she did not imply to be racist. 

“Hey guys! Actually sorry didn’t know this was offensive in direction of racism. My mistake. I take full duty. This errors will make me study for subsequent time. Hope you perceive…. I really like you all,” she mentioned in one other publish on the time.

Nevertheless, the criticism and backlash did not finish there and it stored going. That led to Badosa accusing a sure group of individuals of “bullying” her.

“As a result of all this bullying is insane and it’s ridiculous. The story was end once I got here out and apologize and took your complete duty of it. Transfer on. Jesus. It’s actually tiring to see consistently hate and criticism on this social media. I had a difficulty, YES. However after that individuals and followers in China handled me superb. As a result of they UNDERSTAND folks might be mistaken, acknowledge it and proper to be higher subsequent time and have one other likelihood. However I nonetheless don’t perceive what’s your level. You possibly can consistently offend and bully folks on social media and that’s okay? This must STOP. Bye,” she wrote in a since-deleted publish on X in late October.

Even when Badosa’s intention wasn’t to poke enjoyable at anybody, she realized the laborious approach that posting issues that could possibly be interpreted in a number of methods is not one of the best factor to do. And she or he will definitely be extra cautious when making posts sooner or later.