The US Open witnessed more than just tennis fireworks on Wednesday night. After Taylor Townsend defeated Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in their second-round match, the two players engaged in a tense verbal showdown that spilled over from the net to the sidelines.
Townsend, ranked No. 1 in doubles and making a strong singles run, claimed Ostapenko told her she had “no class” and “no education.” The American, who is Black, acknowledged the racial undertones often tied to such language, saying, “That has been a stigma in our community… whether it had racial undertones or not, that’s something she can speak on”.
😭👏 Townsend to Ostapenko:
“You can learn how to take a loss better” pic.twitter.com/L0m5GGAVC6
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) August 27, 2025
Ostapenko, the 25th seed and 2017 French Open champion, later posted on social media accusing Townsend of being “disrespectful” for not apologizing after a net cord helped her win a point. She also criticized Townsend’s warm-up routine, calling it “against the rules”.
The confrontation escalated when Ostapenko wagged her finger at Townsend, who responded by hyping up the crowd and walking away. “She told me to see what happens outside the U.S. I said, ‘Bring it,’” Townsend added.
This isn’t Ostapenko’s first on-court controversy. She previously clashed with Ajla Tomljanovic at Wimbledon 2021 over a disputed medical timeout
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