'No class, no education': Jelena Ostapenko, Taylor Townsend exchange heated words after US Open match

Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko clashed at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, with tensions spilling over immediately after their second-round encounter. Townsend won the match 7-5, 6-1, but the drama truly unfolded once play was over. Instead of heading in opposite directions after a routine handshake, the two stood on the Court 11 sideline exchanging heated words. Ostapenko wagged her finger at Townsend and accused her of lacking “class” and “education.” Townsend, ranked No. 1 in doubles, later revealed the comments to reporters. When asked whether she felt there were racial undertones, the American, who is Black, said she did not take it that way, though she acknowledged such stereotypes have historically been used against her community. Townsend chose to focus on her tennis. “The only thing I’m worried about right now is continuing to move forward through this tournament,” she said. Ostapenko, who lifted the French Open title in 2017, turned to social media after the backlash. She insisted she had never been racist and respected all people, while also accusing Townsend of being “disrespectful” for not apologising after a net cord helped her win a point. She also criticised Townsend’s warm-up routine, saying she broke unwritten tennis etiquette by starting at the net.Townsend brushed off the controversy, instead egging on the New York crowd after the argument and drawing loud cheers from the stands. She emphasised that there was no history of animosity from her side and even welcomed another meeting with Ostapenko outside the United States. This result marked a significant milestone for Townsend, who recently climbed to the top of the doubles rankings. In singles, she is ranked 139 but has now reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2023. Her win also made her the lowest-ranked American woman in recent history to defeat a Grand Slam champion at a major.WATCH VIDEO OF THE HEATED EXCHANGE “The thing I’m most proud of is that I let my racket talk,” Townsend said. “I’m still here, moving on, and she’s packed up and gone.”