Townsend, Ostapenko Clash Marks US Open Second-Round Drama

At the 2025 US Open, Taylor Townsend upset 25th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in a second-round match, winning 7-5, 6-1 and advancing to face fifth seed Mirra Andreeva. However, the match was overshadowed by a heated post-match confrontation during the net handshake, where Ostapenko accused Townsend of having "no class" and "no education," criticizing her for allegedly breaking tennis etiquette by not apologizing for a net-cord winner and warming up at the net before the match. Townsend, ranked No. 139, defended herself, denying any disrespect and calling Ostapenko's explanation "comical," while also noting the personal insults and refusing to back down. The tension escalated as Townsend engaged with the partisan crowd, and Ostapenko responded on social media denying any racist intent and attributing the dispute to tennis rules. Both players have previously competed against each other without incident, but this exchange drew significant media attention, highlighting broader issues of sportsmanship and cultural sensitivity in competitive tennis. Despite the controversy, Townsend's strong performance and composed response kept her focused on progressing in the tournament.