Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko has denied being racist following a heated post-match exchange with American Taylor Townsend at the US Open.
Ostapenko, known for her temper on court, lost in straight sets to Townsend in the second round. After the match, Townsend told ESPN that Ostapenko had accused her of having “no class” and “no education” before adding, “see what happens when we get outside the US.” Townsend said she beat Ostapenko in Canada earlier this year and added, “let’s see what else she has to say.”
The American explained that while she did not personally interpret the comments as racist, she acknowledged the stigma around such claims in her community. “I didn’t take it in that way, but that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated when it’s the furthest thing from the truth,” she said. Townsend added she was proud to represent herself and her culture as a Black woman on and off the court.
The two clashed after a brief handshake, with courtside microphones picking up Townsend telling Ostapenko to “take the loss.” The dispute appeared to have stemmed from Townsend not apologising when a shot clipped the net at 5-5 in the first set. Ostapenko said it was disrespectful, while Townsend insisted she did not have to apologise.
Ostapenko later took to social media to deny being racist. “I was never racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world,” she wrote. She said her outburst came after what she described as disrespectful behaviour from her opponent, including refusing to apologise for the net ball and starting her warm-up at the net.
Townsend dismissed Ostapenko’s explanation as “comical,” adding she had shown her opponent respect and expected the same in return. She said she would not tolerate insults and was unfazed by the clash, calling it something she could “put on TikTok.”