Erik Gudris | Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Image source: ESPN
Taylor Townsend The United States and Jelena Ostapenko Latvia had a verbal battle after a tense second round at the U.S. Open, which received more attention than the game itself.
Townsend made No. 25 seed Ostapenko beat the third round 7-5, 6-1.
After the handshake after the game, Ostapenko faced Townsend near the referee chair.
While it’s hard to hear everything about due to the noise of the crowd, Ostapenko can be heard tell Townsend: “You don’t have education.
Townsend later celebrated in the 11-member court as many fans booed Ostapenko when they left the court. Townsend later talked to ESPN about the incident.
Townsend added: “She said I had no classes, I had no education, and see what happens when we are outside the United States.” “I’m looking forward to it. I beat her outside the United States, I beat her in New York. So let her see what else she has to say.”
In the early stages of the game, Ostapenko improved twice with a score of 3-0 and later won the first set with a score of 5-3. Townsend managed to regain the deadline before playing at 7-5.
Townsend followed a second quick lead, Ostapenko called on coaches and doctors to check her blood pressure and evaluate her condition. The game resumed shortly after the game, and Townsend continued to win the game 7-5, 6-1.
Ostapenko was not asked by the media before the game and he did not speak to the media after that because she didn’t need to do so. However, she did post her questions with Townsend on her Instagram account, not apologizing for the “Netball” during the game, nor taking the volley first, rather than starting the pre-match warm-up from the benchmark.
Townsend faced Ostapenko several times in singles and doubles, most recently in this year’s Wimbledon Women’s Doubles semifinals, and she had no problems.
Townsend said in her post-match press conference that she had “no beef” with Ostapenko before or after the game, but was proud of the way she handled the moment.
No, there has never been any history. I don’t know how she feels about me, but I don’t have beef around me. She told me that I had no education, no courses, and seeing what would happen if we were playing with each other outside of the United States, I was excited to bring it with me.
However, there is no beef. But, like you guys see, I didn’t back down because you don’t insult me, especially after I did some kind of way in a way other than respect. If I respect you, I hope to respect you too. This is just a fact.
I think that’s tennis, right? You know whatever happens is my dealing with you, but at the end of the day, we have to respect each other and respect what’s happening on the court. This is competition.
So, you know, it’s unfortunate, but, you know, it’s something I can put on Tiktok (laughs).
Townsend is currently the world number one in WTA doubles and is now entering the third round of the U.S. Open for the third time in her career. She will face the No. 5 seed next Mirra Andreeva.
