A heated post-match exchange between former World No. 5 Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend marred an otherwise action-filled fourth day of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.
After Townsend defeated the 2017 French Open champion in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1, Ostapenko accused her opponent of unsportsmanlike conduct, pointing out that the American didn’t apologize when a net cord helped her win a crucial point earlier in the match.
The Latvian wrote on social media that Townsend “was very disrespectful” and didn’t show the proper etiquette expected of a pro tennis player.
“If she plays in her homeland, it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants,” she wrote in a scathing address of Townsend.
Townsend offered more details on their post-match confrontation, which led to some suggesting she was racially targeted.
“She told me I have no class and no education, and to see what happens if we play each other outside the U.S.,” Townsend revealed.
Townsend refused to call Ostapenko a racist.
“I didn’t take it in that way,” she said, via BBC. “But also that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, and all of the things, when it’s the furthest thing from the truth. Whether it had racial undertones or not, that’s something she can speak on.”
