By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Photograph 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 achieve 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 don’t have any training. Wait till we’re exterior the U.S.” throughout their prolonged change.
Townsend celebrated later with the Courtroom 11 crowd as lots of the followers booed Ostapenko as she left the court docket. Townsend later spoke to ESPN in regards to the incident.
“She stated I’ve no class, I’ve no training and to see what occurs after we get exterior the U.S.” Townsend added. “I’m trying ahead to it. I beat her in Canada exterior 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 physician to test her blood strain 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 communicate to the press afterwards as she was not required to take action. She did nonetheless put up on her private Instagram account that she took concern with Townsend not apologizing for a “web ball” throughout 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 yr’s Wimbledon ladies’s doubles semifinals and has no points along 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 happy with the best way 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 advised me I’ve no training, no class, and to see what occurs if we play one another exterior of the U.S. I stated, I’m excited, deliver 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 kind of means with nothing however respect. If I present respect to you, I count on respect as properly. That’s simply the actual fact of the matter.
I feel that that’s tennis, proper? it doesn’t matter what’s happening, it’s me versus you, however on the finish of the day we have now to respect one another and respect what occurs out on the court docket. It’s competitors.
So, you already know, it was unlucky, however, you already know, 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 is going to subsequent face No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva.
