NEW YORK – American tennis player Taylor Townsend swiftly and defiantly responded to a post-match threat from Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open on Wednesday, following a fiery second-round clash. The incident unfolded after Townsend’s 7-5, 6-1 victory, with Ostapenko reportedly telling her opponent she had “no class, no education,” and to “see what happens when we get outside the U.S.”
Townsend, who advanced to the third round, addressed the remarks in her post-match interview, stating she was “looking forward to it.”
The Confrontation: “No Class, No Education”
The tension between the two players became palpable immediately after their match on Court 11. Instead of a routine handshake, Ostapenko, the 25th seed and 2017 French Open champion, engaged Townsend in a face-to-face argument, wagging a finger at the American.
Townsend later confirmed Ostapenko’s comments, revealing the Latvian’s assertion about her lack of “class” and “education,” alongside a veiled threat about future encounters outside the U.S. This heated exchange lasted for approximately thirty seconds on live television.
Townsend’s Defiant Reply
In the wake of the contentious exchange, Townsend maintained her composure, both on and off the court. When asked about the incident, she directly addressed Ostapenko’s comments. “I mean, it’s competition,” Townsend said. “People get upset when they lose… She told me I have no class, I have no education, and to see what happens when we get outside the U.S. So I’m looking forward to it.”
She further underlined her confidence by referencing past victories against Ostapenko. “I beat her in Canada, outside the U.S. I beat her in New York [inside] the U.S., so let’s see what else she has to say,” Townsend stated. Her response was met with widespread praise for its sharp yet composed tone.
Accusations of Racism and Ostapenko’s Denial
Following the match, a reporter questioned Townsend, who is Black, about potential racial undertones in Ostapenko’s “uneducated” comments. Townsend acknowledged the historical stigma faced by the Black community regarding education but stated she didn’t interpret the remarks in that way herself, leaving it for Ostapenko to address.
Jelena Ostapenko later took to social media to deny accusations of racism, expressing her respect for all nations and people. “I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world. For me it doesn’t matter where you come from,” she wrote on Instagram. Ostapenko also criticized the crowd, suggesting they crossed a line by disrespectfully supporting her opponent. She further explained that her initial confrontation stemmed from Townsend not apologizing for a net cord that earned her an advantage during a crucial point. Ostapenko also cited a “disrespectful” warm-up routine by Townsend as a point of contention.
Historical Context of Ostapenko’s Court Conduct
This is not the first time Jelena Ostapenko has been involved in on-court disputes. She has a history of kerfuffles with opponents, including an incident at Wimbledon in 2021 where she was accused by Ajla Tomljanović of faking a medical timeout.
Meanwhile, Townsend’s performance against Ostapenko, a past Grand Slam champion, marks a significant moment for the American, who recently rose to world No. 1 in doubles. This is her first time reaching the third round of a Grand Slam in singles since 2023. Townsend, currently ranked No. 139 in singles, is the lowest-ranked American woman to defeat a former Grand Slam singles champion at a major since Kristie Ahn defeated Ostapenko at the 2019 US Open.
Townsend will now face fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in the third round.
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