By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, August 27, 2025Photo credit score: ESPN
Taylor Townsend of the U.S. and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia engaged in a verbal battle after their tense second spherical on the US Open that gained extra consideration than the match itself.
Townsend upset the No. 25 seed Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 to succeed in the third spherical.
After their post-match handshake, Ostapenko confronted Townsend close to the umpire’s chair.
Whereas it was laborious to listen to all that was stated because of the crowd noise, Ostapenko could be heard telling Townsend, “You haven’t any schooling. Wait till we’re outdoors the U.S.” throughout their prolonged change.
Townsend celebrated later with the Court docket 11 crowd as lots of the followers booed Ostapenko as she left the court docket. Townsend later spoke to ESPN concerning the incident.
“She stated I’ve no class, I’ve no schooling and to see what occurs once we get outdoors the U.S.” Townsend added. “I’m wanting ahead to it. I beat her in Canada outdoors the U.S. I beat her in New York. So let’s see what else she has to say”
Ostapenko went up a double break 3-0 early within the match and later served for the primary set 5-3. Townsend managed to get again on even phrases earlier than taking the set 7-5.
After Townsend achieve a fast lead within the second, Ostapenko known as for a coach and a health care provider to test her blood stress and assess her situation. Play resumed quickly after and Townsend went on to win the match 7-5, 6-1.
Ostapenko, who was not requested by media earlier than the match, didn’t converse to the press afterwards as she was not required to take action. She did nonetheless publish on her private Instagram account that she took subject with Townsend not apologizing for a “web ball” through the match and for beginning the pre-match warmup by taking volleys first and never from the baseline.
Townsend has confronted Ostapenko quite a few occasions in singles and doubles, most not too long ago on this 12 months’s Wimbledon girls’s doubles semifinals and has no points together with her.
Townsend, in her personal post-match press convention, stated she had “no beef” with Ostapenko earlier than or after the match, however was pleased with the way in which she dealt with the second.
No, there’s by no means been any historical past. I don’t understand how she feels about me, however there’s no beef on my aspect. She instructed me I’ve no schooling, no class, and to see what occurs if we play one another outdoors of the U.S. I stated, I’m excited, carry it.
Nonetheless, there’s no beef. However once more, such as you guys noticed, I didn’t again down since you’re not going to insult me, particularly after I carried myself a sure sort of method with nothing however respect. If I present respect to you, I anticipate respect as nicely. That’s simply the actual fact of the matter.
I believe that that’s tennis, proper? You understand it doesn’t matter what’s occurring, it’s me versus you, however on the finish of the day we’ve got to respect one another and respect what occurs out on the court docket. It’s competitors.
So, you recognize, it was unlucky, however, you recognize, it’s one thing I can placed on my TikTok (laughing).
Townsend, at present the World No. 1 in WTA doubles, is now within the US Open singles third spherical for the third time in her profession. She’s going to subsequent face No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva.
