Tennis stars Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko had an epic faceoff on the 2025 US Open.
Townsend, 28, shook fingers with Ostapenko, additionally 28, after profitable their match on the New York Metropolis event on Wednesday, August 27. Nevertheless, issues took a fast flip when the athletes appeared to get right into a heated confrontation on the courtroom.
In keeping with ESPN footage, Ostapenko pointed at Townsend, who congratulated her opponent on a “good match.” Audio of their interplay couldn't be heard — however the crowd rapidly broke out in boos.
Townsend shut down any drama by strolling away and shaking fingers with the match's officers earlier than waving to the gang, who began cheering loudly for her win.
“It's a contest, folks get upset after they lose,” Townsend later defined. “Some folks say unhealthy issues. She advised me I've no class and no training and to see what occurs once we get outdoors the U.S. I'm trying ahead to it.”
Maintain scrolling for every part we all know up to now:
Who Is Taylor Townsend?
The Chicago native is at the moment ranked No. 1 within the Girls's Tennis Affiliation in doubles and has two doubles titles — 2024 Wimbledon Championships and 2025 Australian Open — below her belt.
Who Is Jelena Ostapenko?
The Latvian tennis participant is ranked No. 3 within the Girls's Tennis Affiliation in doubles. She's received one Grand Slam title in singles all through her profession.
What Occurred Between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko?
Townsend received Wednesday's match and went to shake Ostapenko's hand when issues went south. The Athletic reported that Ostapenko advised Townsend to apologize for a shot that hit the highest of the web. When Townsend didn't apologize, Ostapenko allegedly mentioned she had “no training” a number of instances. Townsend declared that Ostapenko ought to “learn to take a loss higher” earlier than strolling away.
What Did Taylor Townsend Say?
Townsend addressed the dialog whereas talking with a reporter after the match.
“I beat her in Canada — outdoors the U.S. I beat her in New York — [inside] the U.S. So let's see what else she has to say,” Townsend added.
The athlete additional mentioned their confrontation in a postgame press conference, noting that she was not going to “tolerate disrespect” from a fellow athlete.
“There's by no means been any historical past. I imply, I don't understand how she feels about me, however there's no beef on my aspect. She advised me that I've no training, no class, and to see what occurs if we play one another outdoors of the U.S,” Townsend defined. “I mentioned, ‘I'm excited. Convey it.' [I've] by no means been the one to again down from something like that, however I simply thought that it was actually attention-grabbing.”
Elsewhere within the press convention Townsend defined why she “didn't again down” from Ostapenko within the warmth of the second.
“You're not going to insult me, particularly after I carried myself a sure sort of manner with nothing however respect,” she mentioned. “If I present respect to you, I count on respect as properly. That's simply the actual fact of the matter.”
What Did Jelena Ostapenko Say?
Ostapenko wrote through her Instagram Story that Townsend was “very disrespectful as she had a web ball in a really deciding second and didn't make an apology in any respect.”
“There are some guidelines in tennis that many of the gamers comply with and it was [the] first time that this occurred to me on tour,” she added. “If she performs in her homeland it doesn't imply that she will be able to behave and do no matter she needs.”
