NEW YORK, Aug 29 (V7N) – Tensions flared at the US Open after Jelena Ostapenko publicly criticized American player Taylor Townsend over what she called a lack of sportsmanship during their second-round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27. Ostapenko, who lost the match 7-5, 6-1 on Court 11, accused Townsend of showing “no class” for not apologizing after a net-cord winner during a critical moment in the match.
The Latvian player, 28, opted out of a post-match press conference and instead voiced her frustration on social media, claiming her opponent behaved in a disrespectful manner.
"Today after the match I told my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding moment and didn't say sorry, but her argument was that she doesn't have to say sorry at all," Ostapenko wrote. She further responded to criticism of her remarks, firmly denying any racist intentions behind her comments.
The controversy quickly spread beyond the court, prompting reactions from the tennis community, including US Open champions Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka. Both were asked to weigh in on the incident during their own press appearances.
While neither Osaka nor Sabalenka directly condemned any player, they emphasized the importance of mutual respect and composure in the sport. Osaka said moments like these can reflect poorly on the game, urging athletes to remain professional even when emotions run high.
The net-cord apology—while not mandatory—is a common courtesy in tennis, and disagreements over it have occasionally sparked tension between players. In this case, the dispute has reignited discussions around sportsmanship and the boundaries of player conduct, both on and off the court.
As of now, neither Townsend nor the USTA has issued an official response to Ostapenko’s accusations. The tournament continues under heightened media attention, as players are reminded that actions during high-stakes matches are closely watched by both fans and fellow professionals.
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