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Taylor Townsend relaxed a roar after disturbing No. 25-ranked Jelena Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-1, in his second round match on the US Open Wednesday.
But a face to face confrontation between the two competitors at Center Court was the biggest story that came out of court 11.
Townsend said that Ostapenko, a Latvian native who has a French open title under her belt from 2017, said she has “no class” and “no education.”
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Taylor Townsend in the United States in action against Jelena Ostapenko in the second round of women’s singles at the US Open in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imag photos)
Townsend, who is black, was asked by a reporter if Ostapenko’s comments on the web had racial undertones.
“I didn’t take it that way, but also, you know it’s been a stigma in our community of being ‘not trained’ and all things when it’s the longest from the truth,” Townsend replied.
“So whether it had racial undertones or not, it’s something she can talk about. The only thing I’m worried about right now is to keep moving through this tournament.”
Ostapenko was not asked by journalists, but she posted on Instagram about the confrontation, specifically talked about “how many messages I received that I am a racist.”
“I was never racist in my life, and I respect all nations of people in the world,” Eastapenko released. “To me it doesn’t mean anything where you come from.”
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During the verbal shift on the web, Ostapenko said something inaudible for Townsend when she went to shake the chair Umpires hand. It clearly annoyed Townsend, who had an annoyed expression on her face before things got a little more heated.
Ostapenko was seen waving with his finger against Townsend as they jawed back and forth.
“It’s competition. People get upset when they lose,” said Townsend, ranked ranked as # 1 in double rooms, after the match.
Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia in action against Taylor Townsend in the United States in the second round of the women’s singles at the US Open in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imag photos)
Townsend added that in previous matches against Ostapenko there were never any problems.
“There is no beef on my side,” she said. “She told me I have no education, no class and to see what happens if we play each other outside the US, I said, ‘I’m excited. Bring it.’ I have never been the one that came back from something similar.
Townsend’s social media posts began by saying that she felt that Townsend was “disrespectful” after not apologizing for the web that helped her secure a point in the fight.
“There are some rules in tennis that most of the players follow, and it was (the) the first time ever that this happened to me on tour,” said Ostapenko. “If she plays in her home country, that doesn’t mean she can behave and do whatever she wants.”
Ostapenko also didn’t like Townsend warming up before the match on the web instead of baseline. Townsend said she has been doing the routine for years and it has never been a problem.
Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia argues with Taylor Townsend in the United States. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Townsend is a star in WTA double rooms, but in singles she is ranked No. 139. She is the lowest ranked American woman who beat a former grand slam champion on a major since Kristie Ahn, who just as happened to beat Ostapenko on the US Open 2019.
Townsend has a tough matchup from the third round against as she will meet No. 5-ranked Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old Phenom, Friday.
