Jelena Ostapenko has accused Taylor Townsend of getting “no schooling and no class” after shedding to the American 7-5 6-1 within the second spherical of the US Open on Wednesday.
Townsend was trailing 3-5 within the opening set on Courtroom 11 earlier than she gained 9 straight video games in opposition to the 2017 French Open champion to realize the higher hand within the second-round conflict and shortly secured the victory on serve to set free an enormous roar.
After Townsend sealed the win, she approached the Latvian for a handshake on the web however an altercation ensued, with Ostapenko telling Townsend that she ought to apologise for a shot that hit the highest of the online and never warming up within the standard method by practising volleys first.
The ladies’s doubles world No 1 walked away earlier than celebrating her upset of the twenty fifth seed by whipping the gang right into a frenzy.
“It is competitors, individuals get upset once they lose and a few individuals say dangerous issues,” mentioned Townsend in her post-match interview.
“She informed me I’ve no class, I’ve no schooling and to see what occurs after we get outdoors the US. I am wanting ahead to it. I beat her in Canada outdoors the US so let’s have a look at what else she has to say.”
Increasing on what occurred later in her press convention, Townsend mentioned: “I did not again down since you’re not going to insult me, particularly after I carried myself a sure kind of manner with nothing however respect.
“If I present respect to you, I anticipate respect as properly. That is simply the very fact of the matter. I believe that that is tennis. It was unlucky, nevertheless it’s one thing I can placed on my TikTok.”
Ostapenko (proper) argues with Townsend after their conflict
Ostapenko took to Instagram to elucidate her aspect, accusing Townsend of unsporting behaviour.
“I informed my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a web ball in a really deciding second and did not ask for forgiveness, however her reply was that she would not must ask for forgiveness in any respect,” mentioned Ostapenko.
“There are some guidelines in tennis which a lot of the gamers observe and it was (the) first time ever that this occurred to me on tour. If she performs in her homeland it does not imply that she will be able to behave and do no matter she desires.”
Townsend was not impressed together with her opponent’s take, saying: “I believe it is comical. To then log on and must justify what you mentioned, you clearly really feel some kind of manner and really feel like you may have to explain the way you acted.”
Townsend prevailed in a tricky conflict in opposition to former French Open champion Ostapenko
Requested if she felt the feedback had racist undertones, Townsend added: “I am very proud as a black lady being out right here representing myself and representing us and our tradition.
“I guarantee that I do the whole lot that I can to be the very best illustration attainable each time that I step on the courtroom and even off the courtroom.
“So I am unable to converse on how she felt about it. That is one thing that you will must ask her. I did not take it in that manner, but in addition, that has been a stigma in our group of being not educated and the entire issues when it is the furthest factor from the reality.”
In a later publish on Instagram, Ostapenko mentioned: “I used to be by no means racist in my life and I respect all nations of individuals on this planet.”
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Highlights of Mirra Andreeva and Anastasia Popapova on the US Open
Townsend strikes on to play Mirra Andreeva in spherical three on Friday after the fifth seed crushed Anastasia Potapova 6-1 6-3.
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