Paula Badosa has defended herself for bringing back up the racism storm which saw her withdraw from the Wuhan Open after it surfaced online accusing users of bullying.
Badosa was seen using chopsticks and pulling her eyes back in what was perceived as racism. The incident faded as such after the backlash online. But she revived the topic joking on Instagram with said coach Pol Toledo who posted the original image thanking him for not getting her in trouble this time.
"Thank you for not posting a picture that gets me in trouble this time," she wrote alongside an eyeroll emoji and some laughing faces. She swiftly deleted this but not before fans took to X to share it.
Badosa responded to two users hitting back at those who claimed it was inappropriate to joke about the initial picture. "Do you know me to say all this kind of things?"
"Who do you think you are to judge me without even knowing anything about me? I think this proves more the person you are than me. If you knew me a 1% you would know I’m the kind of person that tries to find humor on negativity.
"Because people like you are bringing to much negativity on this world so I try to turn the situation around. Because all this bullying is insane and it’s ridiculous."
"The story was finish when I came out and apologize and took the entire responsibility of it. Move on. Jesus.
"It’s really tiring to see constantly hate and criticism on this social media. I had an issue, YES. But after that people and fans in China treated me amazing. Because they UNDERSTAND people can be wrong, recognise it and correct to be better next time and have another chance.
"But I still don’t understand what is your point. You can constantly offend and bully people on social media and that’s okay? This needs to STOP. Bye."
The fan who pulled her up on it though was not having it. "Dear Paula, it's not about you being a positive person but you joking about racism. I know you apologised but then you acted like a victim. There was no need to bring this history back but that's what you did. You wanted as to move on but you're keep joking about it."
To which Badosa responded herself hitting back telling the fan to be just that and not get involved. "Dear Dawid, I’m not joking about anything. I’m teasing my coach don’t twist things. Do you see the difference? And the way you are texting me now is completely different on how you judge me and said how I was as a person in the beginning... Please just focus on being a fan and leave the rest alone. That’s what you should do," she replied.
