WTA issues statement after Budapest event posts controversial remark online on Zhang vs Toth fiasco

The tournament’s official Facebook page posted an anti-China comment on Wednesday which was soon take offline

Shuai Zhang at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham 2023

July 20, 2023

Things got a little more heated in Budapest at the Hungarian Grand Prix following Tuesday’s blowout between China’s Shuai Zhang and local wildcard Amarissa Toth, which led to the Chinese player retiring from the match in tears.

Tennis Majors

On Wednesday, the tournament’s official Facebook page responded to comments on a video that had been posted of Toth’s post-match interview which included the line, “The Chinese are manipulating the world with manipulative video.”

The comment is not visible online any longer but is still circulating online via screenshots.

Comment on the Toth/Zhang from the Hungarian GP facebook account. There is no way a tournament account should ever say this. Players need to be careful of playing this tournament going forward. pic.twitter.com/jXIc0xsV6D
— Owen (@kostekcanu) July 19, 2023

This response prompted a reaction from the WTA Tour, who posted a statement online late on Wednesday.

“The WTA has zero tolerance for racism in any form or context. The unfortunate incident that took place yesterday at the Hungarian Grand Prix and subsequent posts are being reviewed and will be addressed.”

Statement from WTA
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The WTA has zero tolerance for racism in any form or context. The unfortunate incident that took place yesterday at the Hungarian Grand Prix and subsequent posts are being reviewed and will be addressed.
— wta (@WTA) July 19, 2023

The incident had been the talking point in the tennis world on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning across the globe with several WTA players including former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur and Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia sending out messages of support to Zhang and criticizing Toth for her behaviour.