Ostapenko responds to 'racist' accusations after heated US Open clash with Townsend
NewsThursday, 28 August 2025 at 15:45
Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend got into an argument after their second-round match at the 2025 US Open, and that continued even after the match.
Ostapenko and Townsend are both known for their fiery personalities. They are not afraid to show it on the court, so in that sense, it wasn't really surprising that they had a disagreement during their second-round meeting in New York.
Townsend was heavily supported by the home crowd, and ultimately, she was able to use that support to beat the 25th seed in two sets, 7-5, 6-1. However, the main story was written right as the match finished.
The two shook hands at the net, and Ostapenko immediately started saying something to her opponent, something she has done multiple times in the past. This time, however, there was a response coming as well.
Townsend wanted to respond to what the Latvian player said, approaching her close to Ostapenko's bench. The American player was overheard saying, "You can learn how to take a loss better."
After the match, Townsend addressed the incident during her on-court interview with ESPN, saying that Ostapenko told her she was not educated and that she didn't have any class.
"People get upset when they lose. Some people say bad things. She told me, I have no class, I have no education, and to see what happens when we get outside the U.S. I’m looking forward to it. I beat her in Canada outside the U.S, so let’s see what else she says."
"She was playing really well at the beginning. And when she was playing well, I didn't say anything. And so, that just shows class. Sometimes people are playing too good, and you have to just take it, but I turned it up another level, and that's what I'm most proud of today."
After Townsend's interview, Ostapenko's comments were taken out of proportion, with some even accusing her of racism. The 2017 French Open champion quickly stepped in to respond to those comments, denying any accusations of being a racist.
"Wow how many messages I received that l am a racist. 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. There are some rules in tennis and unfortunately when the crowd is with you you can't use it in disrespectful way to your opponent."
"Unfortunately for me, coming from such a small country, I don't have that huge support and a chance to play in my homeland. I always loved to play in the US and the US Open, but this is the first time someone is approaching the match this disrespectful way."
Ostapenko is one of the players who likes to express herself, both through words and on the court, so she will certainly want to play against Townsend again, but the American doesn't seem to be afraid of a rematch either.
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