On-Court Clash
Taylor Townsend shocked Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1, advancing to the third round of the US Open in style. But the real drama unfolded at the net.
Ostapenko accused Townsend of having “no class” and “no education,” citing her refusal to apologize for a net-cord winner and her unusual pre-match warm-up. Townsend, unfazed, fired back at the handshake with a sarcastic:
“You can learn how to take a loss better. Thank you so much. Great job, great playing.”
Townsend Responds: Court & Press
On-court interview: Townsend didn’t hold back.
“She told me I had no class, no education, and to see what happens outside the U.S. … I beat her in Canada too, so let’s see what else she has to say.”
Press conference: She expanded on the tension, emphasizing she carried herself with respect.
“There’s no beef … but you’re not going to insult me, especially after I showed nothing but respect.”
Townsend also addressed the broader implications.
“I’m very proud as a Black woman … I make sure to represent us and our culture. That stigma of being uneducated is the furthest thing from the truth. I let my racket talk.”
Ostapenko’s Instagram Rebuttal
Later, Ostapenko posted on Instagram to defend her actions.
“She was very disrespectful … not apologizing for the net cord, starting warm-ups at the net. There are rules in tennis most players follow.”
Facing social media backlash, she also wrote:
“I was never racist in my life.”
Sabalenka Weighs In
Asked about the controversy after her own win, Aryna Sabalenka said she spoke with Ostapenko.
“She’s nice … she just sometimes loses control. She has some things in life to face and struggles. I tried to help her settle down and let it go.”
Sabalenka added that when players face personal struggles, it often spills into their on-court behavior.
“Looking back, I’m sure she’s not happy with how she acted.”
Chronology Recap
| Moment | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Match finish | Townsend wins; handshake turns tense as Ostapenko lashes out on something Townsend said at the net. |
| On-court interview | Townsend reveals insults, responds with confidence. |
| Press conference | Townsend speaks on respect, race, and carrying herself with pride. |
| Instagram post | Ostapenko defends her stance, denies racist intent. |
| Sabalenka’s comments | Offers empathy, notes Ostapenko’s off-court struggles. |