The Latvian star took a swipe at her American rival, accusing her of lacking both education and class.
Jelena Ostapenko has issued an apology after sparking outrage with her explosive outburst at the US Open.
The Latvian star lost her cool following a second-round defeat to Taylor Townsend at Flushing Meadows, angrily pointing her finger at the American and accusing her of having “no education” and “no class.” The flashpoint came after Townsend did not apologise for a net cord, but Ostapenko’s harsh words quickly drew backlash.
Her remarks ignited claims of racism, with Naomi Osaka calling the “education” comment one of the worst things that could be said to a Black player in a predominantly white sport.
While Ostapenko avoided the press after the match, she later took to social media to deny any racist intent, insisting her anger was misinterpreted.
The controversy has left the tennis world divided, with many questioning where the line between on-court frustration and unacceptable behaviour should be drawn.
In a follow-up statement on Instagram addressing her conduct, Ostapenko wrote:
“I want to sincerely apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round match.
English is not my first language, and when I used the word education, I was referring strictly to tennis etiquette. However, I understand that my choice of words may have offended many people beyond the court, and I deeply regret that.”
Ostapenko closed her statement by saying:
“I appreciate all the support as I continue to learn and grow, both as a person and as a tennis player. Goodbye New York—I look forward to returning next year.”
Meanwhile, Taylor Townsend has emerged as one of the standout figures of the tournament’s opening week. Using the controversy as fuel, she stunned fifth seed Mirra Andreeva to reach the third round.
“I’m really proud that I kept the focus where it needed to be,” said the 29-year-old. “I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the last 48 hours. This is bigger than just me—it’s about the message, the representation, and the importance of showing up as your true self. Tonight, I did exactly that.”
