By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 30, 2025
NEW YORK—Jelena Ostapenko has apologized for taunting Taylor Townsend throughout their heated post-match change on Wednesday night time.
Doubles world No. 1 Townsend upset the Twenty fifth-seeded Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-1 to succeed in the US Open third spherical.
Within the testy post-match handshake, Ostapenko, who was upset her opponent didn’t apologize for a net-cord shot, might be heard blasting Townsend saying “you don’t have any schooling…wait till we’re outdoors the U.S.”
Some gamers, commentators and followers referred to as Ostapenko out for these remarks.
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka mentioned it’s “one of many worst issues you possibly can say to a black tennis participant.”
Right now, Ostapenko apologized on Instagram Tales.
“I needed to apologize for a few of the issues I mentioned throughout my second-round singles match,” Ostapenko mentioned. “English is just not my native language, so once I mentioned schooling, I used to be talking solely about what I consider as tennis etiquette, however I perceive how the phrases I used may have offended many individuals past the tennis courtroom.”
Townsend, who mentioned she has not spoken to Ostapenko personally since their heated change, mentioned it was good the Latvian apologized through social media.
“No, that’s good that she did that, that she apologized. I imply, that’s effective. That’s cool,” Townsend advised the media on the US Open. “On the finish of the day, I believe that it’s a studying lesson for her. Once more, like I mentioned when every little thing first occurred, you can’t push your expectations on different individuals. That’s in the end what occurred.”
Townsend instructed Ostapenko was attempting to incite a response from her with the “no schooling” comment.
“She anticipated for me to react a sure sort of approach, and I didn’t, and it infuriated her. Which led her to say issues which can be hurtful, which can be belligerent, which can be offensive, not solely to me, however, you already know, to the game and to an entire tradition of people who I attempt to do my finest to symbolize the perfect that I can,” Townsend mentioned. “So for me, it’s good that she apologized. You realize, this isn’t the primary, second, third, fourth time. There have been incidents the place she will get upset a few web twine so it’s not a stunning factor that she acted this manner.
“Additionally, we simply should take into account that it’s competitors, we’re enjoying a sport. You realize, you possibly can’t get upset if somebody doesn’t do one thing that you really want them to do. Like, who’re you? I can’t get mad that you just don’t do one thing that possibly I count on so that you can do.”
