Tensions boiled over during the second round of the US Open. American tennis player Taylor Townsend took Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko to task on the court. After a tightly contested battle, Townsend emerged on top with a 7-5, 6-1 decision. The two players ended up in a fistfight after their match handshake. Ostapenko’s choice of words during this exchange has sparked significant controversy and garnered reactions from various figures in the tennis community.
The rift started with Townsend’s upset win, which was a huge personal achievement for her. In the heat of the moment, Ostapenko went after Townsend, suggesting that the American-born player had “zero class” and “zero education.” The exchange turned incredibly ugly almost immediately. It ignited an outcry that reverberated around the tennis community regarding what Ostapenko’s statements meant, particularly as Townsend is a player of color.
Olympic Gold medalist and Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka took to Instagram to express her outrage vividly. She denounced the remarks, saying they were among the most egregious attacks leveled against a Black player. The contrary viewpoint perhaps highlights just how sensitive race and language can be in sports. This is particularly true during high-pressure moments like the US Open.
Ostapenko’s answer to the international backlash was an apology. She understood that her poor choice of words did hurt a lot of people beyond the tennis court. She explained, “English is not my native language, so when I said education, I was speaking only about what I believe as tennis etiquette, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people.”
Ostapenko took to social media to air her grievances loud and clear. She was angry that Townsend refused to concede an apology for a net cord that assisted her at a pivotal moment in the match. She lamented what she felt was Townsend’s lack of decorum.
Amid the debate and conversation, Townsend posted about her disappointment and frustration on social media. She responded that Ostapenko’s remarks were not just damaging. They were disrespectful to her and to the broader culture she embodies. “That’s fine. That’s cool. At the end of the day, I think that it’s a lesson for her … you can’t push your expectations on other people,” Townsend remarked.
Fellow players have circled the wagons around Townsend since the incident. Even their inspiration, Coco Gauff, lavished accolades on Townsend, saying she was one of the greatest people she ever met. Tennis world supporting Townsend The tennis community has largely come out in support of Townsend. As she prepares for her next match against Barbora Krejcikova in the tournament’s fourth round, things couldn’t be better.
