Former world number two Paula Badosa was accused of racism when her coach, Pol Toledo, published a photo where she imitated a Chinese face by placing chopsticks next to her eyes.
Several users raged against the tennis star on social media, and shortly afterwards the photo was removed, and the Spaniard apologized for the image.
"I really didn't know that this could be interpreted as racism. My mistake! I take full responsibility, and will learn for next time. I hope you understand", she wrote on X on Monday.
Now the Spaniard has withdrawn from the WTA tournament in Chinese Wuhan, claiming to have been afflicted with a stomach and intestinal disease just hours before her first match.
Badosa has had major injury concerns in recent years, and has recently climbed up the rankings again after being outside the top 100 as recently as June. At best, the 26-year-old has been world number two.
