Jelena Ostapenko Denies Racism After Heated US Open Exchange with Taylor Townsend

Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend engaged in a heated confrontation after Ostapenko's second-round loss to Townsend at the 2025 US Open, with Ostapenko accusing Townsend of disrespectful behavior during the match, including starting warm-ups at the net and not apologizing for a net cord point. Townsend claimed Ostapenko called her 'no class and no education,' which sparked allegations of racism against Ostapenko. Ostapenko strongly denied any racist intent, emphasizing her respect for all nations and stating her criticism was about sportsmanship and crowd conduct, not race. She also expressed frustration over the lack of support as a player from a small country and criticized the crowd's partiality towards Townsend. Townsend acknowledged the tension but downplayed the incident, focusing on handling the situation with respect despite the loss. Both players look ahead, with Townsend advancing to the third round and Ostapenko vowing to come back stronger.