US Open: Ostapenko Apologizes for 'No Education' Comments to Townsend
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko were involved in a heated exchange at the US Open. Ostapenko has since apologized for her comments. Read more.
“She expected me to react a certain way, and I didn't, and it infuriated her, which led her to say things that are...”
Jelena Ostapenko has issued an apology for her comments to Taylor Townsend after their US Open match. Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, lost to Townsend 7-5, 6-1 in the second round. Following their handshake, Ostapenko engaged in a heated exchange with Townsend, prompting a backlash.
According to Townsend, Ostapenko said she had “no class” and “no education.” Ostapenko has since apologized for her words, explaining that English isn't her native language and she intended to criticize Townsend's tennis etiquette, not her intelligence or background. “I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match,” Ostapenko stated on social media.
Ostapenko's comments sparked controversy, with Townsend questioning whether there were racial undertones to the remarks. In response, Ostapenko clarified her intention was to address Townsend's behavior during the match, not to make a personal attack.
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko were involved in a heated exchange during their US Open second-round match. Townsend claimed Ostapenko told her she had “no class” and “no education.” Ostapenko, however, attributed her anger to Townsend's refusal to apologize for a shot that clipped the net and stayed in play, calling Townsend disrespectful.
The match itself saw Townsend dominating Ostapenko, winning 7-5, 6-1. Townsend expressed concerns about potential “racial undertones” to the argument, stating Ostapenko would have to answer for them. The controversy unfolded after Townsend's victory on the court, with both players displaying visible frustration.
Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend got into a heated exchange after their US Open match, where Ostapenko allegedly told Townsend she had “no class” and “no education.” Ostapenko later clarified that by “education,” she meant tennis etiquette, not a personal attack. However, the damage was done, sparking a debate that went beyond the sport.
Jelena Ostapenko apologizes for her behavior after the Taylor Townsend match at U.S. Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2025
“Hi all - I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match. English is not my native language, so when I said education, I was speaking only about… pic.twitter.com/arE6tHCrdZ
Naomi Osaka weighed in on the controversy, stating, “I think obviously it's one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport.” Osaka felt the timing of Ostapenko's comments was unfortunate and hoped Ostapenko would never say that again. “If you're like genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don't think that's the craziest thing she's said. I'm going to be honest,” Osaka added, suggesting a pattern of behavior that warrants attention.
Ostapenko apologized for her remarks, saying, “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 beyond the tennis court.” She also claimed she was “never racist in her life” and respects people from all nations.
Taylor Townsend responded to the altercation, saying she didn't take Ostapenko's comments as racist but acknowledged the stigma associated with education in the Black community. “I think it's up to the person whether they apologize or not, but if it's really close, then I can see why they don't apologize,” Townsend remarked, showcasing her focus on moving forward in the tournament.
“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 beyond the tennis court.
“I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a player.”
Taylor Townsend appreciated Jelena Ostapenko's apology for her “no education” comments, saying it was “nice that she did that.” Townsend viewed the apology as a learning lesson for Ostapenko, emphasizing that it's better for players to focus on themselves rather than trying to control others' reactions. Although Ostapenko apologized on social media, Townsend noted that Ostapenko hadn't reached out to her personally to apologize.
“That's fine. That's cool,” she added. “At the end of the day, I think that it's a lesson for her ... you can't push your expectations on other people. That's what happened.
“She expected me to react a certain way, and I didn't, and it infuriated her, which led her to say things that are hurtful, belligerent, offensive, not only to me but to the sport and a whole culture of people I try to represent the best I can.”
Coco Gauff praised Taylor Townsend, saying she's “one of the nicest people” she knows. Townsend recently had a dramatic encounter with Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open, where Ostapenko made controversial comments about Townsend's class and education after losing their match 7-5, 6-1.
Townsend is moving forward positively, focusing on her game and the increased attention she's receiving. “There's a lot of familiar faces here, but there are a lot of people who maybe didn't have any idea who I was,” she said, acknowledging the incident has raised her profile. Townsend will next face Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round.
After the altercation, Ostapenko apologized for her words, explaining that English isn't her native language and she meant to criticize Townsend's tennis etiquette, not her intelligence or background. Townsend accepted the apology, calling it “nice” that Ostapenko took responsibility for her actions.
“People being able to see me now, but then being able to go back and go into my history and follow my journey and figure out how has she gotten here, I think that's super cool.”
Key Details:
- Match Result: Taylor Townsend won 7-5, 6-1 against Jelena Ostapenko
- Controversy: Heated exchange between the two players during the match
- Ostapenko's Claim: Townsend was disrespectful for not apologizing for a net cord shot
- Townsend's Claim: Ostapenko accused her of having “no class” and “no education”
- Potential Issue: Townsend raised concerns about possible racial undertones in Ostapenko's comments.
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