Naomi Osaka Criticizes Jelena Ostapenko Over Racism Allegations at US Open

At the 2025 US Open, a post-match confrontation between Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend sparked controversy when Ostapenko accused Townsend of having "no class" and "no education," comments widely criticized as racially insensitive. Naomi Osaka condemned Ostapenko's remarks, calling them "one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport," while affirming Townsend's intelligence and hard work. Ostapenko denied being racist and justified her comments as a response to Townsend's failure to apologize for a net-cord incident during the match, but later deleted her denial on social media. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, acknowledged Ostapenko's fiery temperament and expressed hope that she would mature and handle such situations better in the future. The incident has reignited discussions about race and respect in professional tennis, with Osaka emphasizing the historical context and sensitivity required when making such remarks. Despite the heated exchange, Townsend stated she did not interpret the comments as racist, though the episode remains a significant talking point in the tournament.