Ostapenko Issues Apology After Heated US Open Row With Townsend

Jelena Ostapenko has publicly apologised after her controversial comments towards Taylor Townsend during their second-round clash at the US Open earlier this week, Sport360NG reports.

Following her 7-5, 6-1 defeat to the American, Ostapenko was accused of telling Townsend she had “no class” and “no education” after a dispute over a net-cord point. The Latvian argued that Townsend should have apologised for the stroke, which some players consider a courtesy even though it is not required by the rules.

Townsend later clarified she did not believe the remarks carried racial undertones, but Naomi Osaka, a former world number one, described the insinuation that the American lacked education as “one of the worst things you could say to a Black tennis player.”

In a statement shared on Instagram, Ostapenko expressed regret for her choice of words, stressing that English is not her first language and that she had intended to reference tennis etiquette rather than education itself.

“I understand how the words used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court,” she wrote. “I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a tennis player.”

Townsend, who is the world’s top-ranked doubles player, said she has not been contacted privately but accepted the public apology.

“That’s nice that she did that,” Townsend said after a doubles win on Saturday. “It’s a learning lesson for her. At the end of the day, you can’t push your expectations onto other people. She expected me to react a certain way, and when I didn’t, it frustrated her and led to those comments. Hopefully, she can take from this that it’s better to focus on yourself.”

The incident culminated in boos directed at Ostapenko as she left Court 11, with microphones capturing Townsend telling her opponent to “take the L.” Ostapenko later called Townsend “disrespectful” on social media while also denying allegations of racism.

“I have never been racist in my life,” the 2017 French Open champion insisted. “I respect all nations and people.”

Ostapenko’s campaign in New York ended on Thursday following a doubles defeat alongside Barbora Krejcikova, who will now face Townsend in the singles fourth round. The Latvian skipped her post-match media duties, citing medical reasons.