World No 2 doubles player Taylor Townsend has pulled out of the China Open in Beijing because of “a change of schedule”, the WTA said on Thursday, days after controversial comments about Chinese food.

The American had come under fire for calling buffet food “crazy” while competing at the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen that ended on Sunday.

“What the hell … turtle and bullfrog is WILD,” she posted on Instagram.

“These people are literally killing frogs, bullfrogs. Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils and stuff?” she added, before later apologising.

The 29-year-old Townsend had been due to be top seed with Czech partner Katerina Siniakova in the women’s doubles in Beijing.

The pair were beaten finalists at the US Open earlier this month.