Osaka slams Ostapenko rant in U.S. Open ‘racism’ storm

Naomi Osaka hit out at Jelena Ostapenko on Thursday (August 28, 2025) after the Latvian triggered accusations of racism following her U.S. Open exit.

Ostapenko was on the centre of controversy on Wednesday (August 27, 2025) after launching a livid on-court tirade at African American opponent Taylor Townsend after dropping her second spherical conflict.

Townsend later revealed Ostapenko had accused her of getting “no training and no class” in an offended verbal volley following the defeat.

These remarks had been interpreted as racist by many social media customers, prompting Ostapenko to challenge a denial late Wednesday (August 27, 2025).

“Wow what number of messages I obtained that I’m a racist,” Ostapenko wrote on Instagram.

“I used to be NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of individuals on the earth, for me it doesn’t matter the place you come from,” she added, earlier than reiterating that her criticism of Townsend was prompted by a perceived breach of etiquette.

Ostapenko’s remarks continued to trigger shockwaves round Flushing Meadows on Thursday (August 28, 2025) nonetheless.

Japanese star Osaka, whose father is from Haiti, condemned Ostapenko’s feedback to Townsend as “horrible.”

“I feel clearly it’s one of many worst issues you’ll be able to say to a Black tennis participant in a majority white sport,” Osaka mentioned following her second spherical win over Hailey Baptiste.

“I do know Taylor and I understand how arduous she’s labored and I understand how good she is, so she’s the furthest factor from uneducated or something like that.

“It’s unwell timing and the worst individual you can have ever mentioned it to. And I don’t know if (Ostapenko) is aware of the historical past of it in America.”

“However I do know she’s by no means going to say that ever once more in her life. It was simply horrible. Like, that’s simply actually unhealthy.”

Townsend’s combined doubles companion, males’s singles sixth seed Ben Shelton, additionally took purpose at Ostapenko’s selection of phrases.

“Some surprising feedback in direction of (Townsend), and never the neatest factor to say to an American in New York Metropolis,” Shelton mentioned. “Type of speaks for itself, proper? Loopy. Loopy assertion.”

Townsend on Wednesday (August 27, 2025) in the meantime mentioned she didn’t imagine Ostapenko’s feedback had been racist.

“I didn’t take it in that manner, but in addition, you recognize, that has been a stigma in our neighborhood of being not educated and all the issues when it’s the furthest factor from the reality,” she mentioned.

“I don’t actually take that personally, as a result of I do know that it’s so removed from the reality and so removed from something.

“I’m very sturdy. I’m very proud as a Black lady being out right here representing myself and representing us and our tradition.”