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Taylor Townsend let out a roar after upset Jelena Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-1, in his second round match at the US Open.
But a face -to -face confrontation between the two short Center competitors was the biggest story out of the court.
Townsend said that ostapenko, from Latvian who had a French title to her 2017 credit, said that she had “no class” and “no education”.
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Taylor Townsend in the United States in action against Jelena Ostapenko in the second round of female singles at the US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2025. (Mike Frey / Imagn images)
Townsend, which is black, was requested by a journalist if Ostapenko’s comments on the net had racial nuances.
“I did not take it this way, but also, you know, it was a stigmatization in our community to be” not educated “and all things, when it is the most distant thing from the truth,” replied Townsend.
“So, whether racial shades or not, it is something she can talk about. The only thing that worries me at the moment is to continue to move forward in this tournament.”
Ostapenko was not invited by journalists, but she posted on Instagram on the confrontation, speaking specifically about “how many messages I received that I am a racist”.
“I have never been racist in my life and I respect all the nations of the people of the world,” posted Ostapenko. “For me, it doesn’t matter where you come from.”
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During the verbal altercation of the net, Ostapenko said something inaudible in Townsend when she was going to shake hands with the referee of the chair. This clearly upset Townsend, who had an exasperated expression on his face before things become a little more heated.
Ostapenko was seen by waving her finger at Townsend while they chewed back and forth.
“It’s competition. People get angry when they lose,” said Townsend, who is classified n ° 1 in doubles after the match.
Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in action against Taylor Townsend in the United States in the second round of female singles at the US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2025. (Mike Frey / Imagn images)
Townsend added that in previous matches against Ostapenko, there has never been a problem.
“There is no beef on my side,” she said. “She told me that I had no education, no class, and to see what is happening if we play outside the United States, I said:” I am excited. Bring it. “I have never been the only one back from something like that.”
Townsend’s publication on the social media began by saying that she felt that Townsend was “disrespectful” after not apologizing for the net cord helping him get a point in the match.
“There are tennis rules that most players follow and it is (the) first time that it happened to me on tour,” said Ostapenko. “If she plays in her homeland, that does not mean that she can behave and do what she wants.”
Ostapenko did not like that Townsend warmed before the net match rather than at the basic line. Townsend said she had been routine for years and has never been a problem.
Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia is arguing with Taylor Townsend in the United States. (Images Clive Brunskill / Getty)
Townsend is a star in double WTA, but in simple, she is classified n ° 139. She is the least classified American woman to beat a former Grand Slam champion in a major since Kristie Ahn, who just beat Ostapenko at the 2019 US Open.
Townsend has a difficult match against the third round because it will face Mirra Andreeva, n ° 5, the 18 -year -old phenomenon on Friday.
