By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Photograph credit score: ESPN
Taylor Townsend of the U.S. and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia engaged in a verbal battle after their tense second spherical on the US Open that gained extra consideration than the match itself.
Townsend upset the No. 25 seed Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 to succeed in the third spherical.
After their post-match handshake, Ostapenko confronted Townsend close to the umpire’s chair.
Whereas it was arduous to listen to all that was stated as a result of crowd noise, Ostapenko will be heard telling Townsend, “You haven’t any schooling. Wait till we’re outdoors the U.S.” throughout their prolonged alternate.
Townsend celebrated later with the Courtroom 11 crowd as lots of the followers booed Ostapenko as she left the courtroom. Townsend later spoke to ESPN concerning the incident.
“She stated I’ve no class, I’ve no schooling and to see what occurs after we get outdoors the U.S.” Townsend added. “I’m wanting ahead to it. I beat her in Canada outdoors the U.S. I beat her in New York. So let’s see what else she has to say”
Ostapenko went up a double break 3-0 early within the match and later served for the primary set 5-3. Townsend managed to get again on even phrases earlier than taking the set 7-5.
After Townsend acquire a fast lead within the second, Ostapenko known as for a coach and a health care provider to verify her blood stress and assess her situation. Play resumed quickly after and Townsend went on to win the match 7-5, 6-1.
Ostapenko, who was not requested by media earlier than the match, didn’t converse to the press afterwards as she was not required to take action. She did nevertheless submit on her private Instagram account that she took problem with Townsend not apologizing for a “web ball” throughout the match and for beginning the pre-match warmup by taking volleys first and never from the baseline.
Townsend has confronted Ostapenko quite a few instances in singles and doubles, most just lately on this 12 months’s Wimbledon girls’s doubles semifinals and has no points together with her.
Townsend, in her personal post-match press convention, stated she had “no beef” with Ostapenko earlier than or after the match, however was happy with the best way she dealt with the second.
No, there’s by no means been any historical past. I don’t know the way she feels about me, however there’s no beef on my aspect. She advised me I’ve no schooling, no class, and to see what occurs if we play one another outdoors of the U.S. I stated, I’m excited, deliver it.
Nonetheless, there’s no beef. However once more, such as you guys noticed, I didn’t again down since you’re not going to insult me, particularly after I carried myself a sure sort of approach with nothing however respect. If I present respect to you, I count on respect as nicely. That’s simply the very fact of the matter.
I believe that that’s tennis, proper? You recognize it doesn’t matter what’s happening, it’s me versus you, however on the finish of the day we’ve got to respect one another and respect what occurs out on the courtroom. It’s competitors.
So, you understand, it was unlucky, however, you understand, it’s one thing I can placed on my TikTok (laughing).
Townsend, at the moment the World No. 1 in WTA doubles, is now within the US Open singles third spherical for the third time in her profession. She is going to subsequent face No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva.
