Tennis fans at Flushing Meadows were in for a drama-filled day as Jelena Ostapenko made her return to the US Open court less than 24 hours after a heated outburst directed at America’s Taylor Townsend.
The Latvian star, known for her fiery temperament, found herself at the center of a social media storm after her comments sparked accusations of racism.
The Outburst That Shook Flushing Meadows
Ostapenko’s spat with Townsend followed her 7-5, 6-1 defeat on Wednesday.
Frustrated, she told Townsend she had “no education and no class,” comments that immediately drew widespread attention and criticism.
In the wake of the incident, Ostapenko took to social media to defend herself, insisting she respects people of all nations and that her remarks were justified in the heat of competition.
A Surprisingly Warm Welcome
Despite the controversy, Ostapenko faced the crowd again on Thursday for her first-round women’s doubles match alongside Czech teammate Barbora Krejčíková.
Surprisingly, she did not encounter boos—some fans even cheered her name as she was introduced.
The duo took on the No. 11 seeds, Timea Babos from Hungary and Luisa Stefani from Brazil, aiming for a spot in the second round.
Townsend’s Response to the Incident
Following the match, Townsend opened up to ESPN about the confrontation.
She recalled Ostapenko’s words and expressed her perspective: while the comments were harsh, she didn’t take them personally.
She noted the racial undertones question but emphasized that she couldn’t speak for Ostapenko’s intentions.
Townsend added that the claims of her being “uneducated” were far from the truth and highlighted that competition can bring out strong emotions in players.
Ostapenko Denies Racism Accusations
On Instagram, Ostapenko addressed the accusations head-on. “Wow, how many messages I received that I am a racist,” she wrote.
“I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world. For me, it doesn’t matter where you come from.”
The clash reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over etiquette after one of Townsend’s shots clipped the net.
Ostapenko wanted a customary apology, which Townsend declined, triggering the confrontation.
Sabalenka Suggests Personal Issues Behind the Rant
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka weighed in on Thursday, suggesting that Ostapenko’s outburst might have deeper personal roots.
“She sometimes can lose control. She has some things in life to face and some struggles,” Sabalenka said.
She added that she had tried to speak with Ostapenko privately, encouraging her to manage her emotions in a more mature way.
“I really hope one day she will figure herself out and handle it much better,” Sabalenka said.
Looking Ahead at the US Open
As the doubles match kicked off, the focus shifted back to the competition.
Despite the off-court drama, Ostapenko and Krejčíková are aiming to advance, proving that even in the midst of controversy, tennis at Flushing Meadows continues with its usual intensity.
