Ostapenko Apologizes for Taunting Townsend – Tennis Now

By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 30, 2025

 NEW YORK—Jelena Ostapenko has apologized for taunting Taylor Townsend throughout their heated post-match trade on Wednesday evening.

Doubles world No. 1 Townsend upset the Twenty fifth-seeded Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-1 to succeed in the US Open third spherical.

Within the testy post-match handshake, Ostapenko, who was upset her opponent didn’t apologize for a net-cord shot, may very well be heard blasting Townsend saying “you don’t have any schooling…wait till we’re exterior the U.S.”

Some gamers, commentators and followers referred to as Ostapenko out for these remarks.

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka stated it’s “one of many worst issues you possibly can say to a black tennis participant.”

Immediately, Ostapenko apologized on Instagram Tales.

“I wished to apologize for a number of the issues I stated throughout my second-round singles match,” Ostapenko stated. “English isn’t my native language, so after I stated schooling, I used to be talking solely about what I imagine as tennis etiquette, however I perceive how the phrases I used may have offended many individuals past the tennis court docket.”

Townsend, who stated she has not spoken to Ostapenko personally since their heated trade, stated it was good the Latvian apologized by way of social media.

“No, that’s good that she did that, that she apologized. I imply, that’s high quality. That’s cool,” Townsend informed the media on the US Open. “On the finish of the day, I believe that it’s a studying lesson for her. Once more, like I stated when every little thing first occurred, you can’t push your expectations on different folks. That’s in the end what occurred.”

Townsend prompt Ostapenko was making an attempt to incite a response from her with the “no schooling” comment.

“She anticipated for me to react a sure kind of manner, and I didn’t, and it infuriated her. Which led her to say issues which can be hurtful, which can be belligerent, which can be offensive, not solely to me, however, , to the game and to an entire tradition of those who I attempt to do my greatest to signify the most effective that I can,” Townsend stated. “So for me, it’s good that she apologized. , this isn’t the primary, second, third, fourth time. There have been incidents the place she will get upset a few web twine so it’s not a shocking factor that she acted this fashion.

“Additionally, we simply must understand that it’s competitors, we’re taking part in a sport. , you possibly can’t get upset if somebody doesn’t do one thing that you really want them to do. Like, who’re you? I can’t get mad that you just don’t do one thing that possibly I anticipate so that you can do.”