On August 30, 2025, Jelena Ostapenko apologised for her remarks during a heated exchange with Taylor Townsend at the US Open. The controversy followed Townsend’s 7-5, 6-1 victory over the 2017 French Open champion in the second round on August 27, 2025. Ostapenko’s comments, perceived by some as offensive, sparked backlash, prompting her to clarify her intent on Instagram.
After Townsend’s win, a tense net exchange unfolded. Townsend revealed that Ostapenko accused her of having “no class” and “no education” for not apologising after a net cord shot, a traditional tennis etiquette gesture. Townsend, who is Black, later questioned potential “racial undertones” in a press conference, per ESPN. The remarks drew criticism, with Naomi Osaka calling them “the worst things” to say about a Black player.
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko got in a heated interaction after their second round match at the US Open.
Townsend is on to the third round. pic.twitter.com/cOIYzoyfmG
— ESPN (@espn) August 27, 2025Ostapenko’s Apology
Ostapenko addressed the backlash on Instagram, stating, “English is not my native language. When I said education, I meant tennis etiquette.” She acknowledged that her words caused offence beyond the court and expressed regret. Additionally, she thanked supporters while emphasising her growth as a player and person. Townsend accepted the apology, noting, “It’s a lesson for her. You can’t push your expectations on others,” per Tennis.com.
Jelena Ostapenko has apologised for her comments about opponent Taylor Townsend earlier this week. ✋
Townsend said the former French Open champion told her she had "no class" and "no education" after her 7-5 6-1 win in the second round of the US Open. pic.twitter.com/e9AyoKV4Im
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 30, 2025Coco Gauff praised Townsend’s character, calling her one of the kindest players, per Reuters. Townsend, advancing to face Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round, said the incident introduced her to new fans. She added, “People are learning about my journey, which is super cool.” Social media reactions were mixed, with some defending Ostapenko’s language barrier, while others criticised her choice of words.
The clash occurred during a high-stakes US Open match, with Townsend’s win marking a career highlight and boosting her ranking to No. 43, according to the WTA. Ostapenko, ranked No. 10, faced pressure after a lacklustre season. The net cord dispute, a minor etiquette issue, escalated due to cultural sensitivities, underscoring the importance of careful communication in global sports.
