Tennis stars have been cautioned about their social media behaviour after Paula Badosa and Magda Linette were forced to apologise for “distasteful” posts in China this year. The new WTA director, Portia Archer, issued a warning email to players on the Tour.
One of the controversies during the Asian Swing involved former World No. 2 Paula Badosa. Her coach posted a photo of her pulling her eyes back with chopsticks, a gesture many perceived as racist, prompting the Spaniard to issue an apology.
Similarly, Magda Linette faced backlash after captioning her journey from Beijing to Wuhan with “the virus database has been updated,” referencing Covid-19 and Wuhan as the city where the pandemic originated. The Polish player also apologised following criticism on social media.
WTA Players warned to avoid ‘distasteful’ Social Media content
According to The I Paper, Portia Archer warned players about distasteful content, stating: “Distasteful content of any kind … will not be tolerated. Tournaments and countries host us as their guests at considerable effort and expense, and it is of absolute importance to respect the local culture of the regions we compete in, all of which make our global Tour a success,” she said.
While Archer did not directly address any specific players,
she urged greater caution about social media posts and respect for diverse
cultures worldwide: “Distasteful content of any kind (such as images,
references, text, video) relating to the culture, history, or hurtful
stereotypes of a group of people or a region is inconsistent with the values
the WTA represents and will not be tolerated.”
She added: “Not only do such harmful actions generate
negative coverage and reflect poorly on the athlete, but they also impact
women’s professional tennis as a whole, along with having negative effects on
the hard-working team and staff that organise WTA events.”
Archer referred to the WTA’s Code of Conduct and warned of
potential sanctions for players who fail to heed this warning: “These actions
can also pose a risk around the entire tournament, with security, transport,
and other areas all put in potential jeopardy. I will take action and
responsibility for holding all of us accountable to the standards of the Code.”
The WTA has emphasised particular care in countries like
China and Saudi Arabia, which host some of the Tour's highest-paying
tournaments but face criticism for human rights issues. Many opposed the Tour’s
return to China following the Peng Shuai disappearance controversy in 2022.
Others criticised the WTA's presence in Saudi Arabia due to its history of
human rights violations, gender inequality, and lack of LGBTQ+ rights.
Archer noted in her email: “We often play in environments
and countries that have different customs, different cultures, and in some
cases different value systems than I might have personally or that the WTA may
have as an organisation based in the United States. We respect the values, even
if they differ from other countries that we find ourselves in and compete in.”
🇨🇳 La tenista española Paula Badosa está recibiendo una ola gigantesca de ataques en China por colgar esta foto con un gesto racista mientras competía en el país asiático.
— 马悟空 (@Ma_WuKong) October 10, 2024
Se ha retirado del país por «problemas estomacales». No será bienvenida de nuevo en China. pic.twitter.com/qxolyXBysI
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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