Jelena Ostapenko issued an apology Saturday for some of her comments stemming from a tense exchange with Taylor Townsend after she lost to the American in a second-round match at the U.S. Open on Wednesday.
Ostapenko, who is from Latvia, clarified what she meant when she told Townsend she had “no education” and said she can see why people were irked by her comments.
“Hi all — I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match,” Ostapenko said in her statement. “English is not my native language, so when I said education, I was speaking only about what I believe as tennis etiquette, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court.
“I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a tennis player. Goodbye New York, and I look forward to being back next year.”
Ostapenko, the No. 25 seed, became upset during the match – won 7-5, 6-1 by Townsend – when a ball hit the net and fell in during the opening set. Most players apologize when that occurs, but Townsend didn’t. Ostapenko viewed it as poor sportsmanship.
The 28-year-old Ostapenko then voiced her opinion in a testy handshake after the match. Townsend refused to apologize and Ostapenko eventually told her she had “no class” and “no education.”
Townsend, 29, is ranked No. 139 in singles but is No. 1 in doubles. She upset No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia in singles play Friday night to reach the fourth round at the U.S. Open for just the second time in her career. The other time was in 2019.
Townsend said after Friday’s victory that the controversy isn’t fazing her at all.
“It wasn’t hard because I stood in my truth,” Townsend said. “So I didn’t have to defend anything that I said.”
Ostapenko has won one Grand Slam title, the 2017 French Open.
–Field Level Media
