Here we go. Naomi Osaka has spoken out about the tense exchange between Latvian tennis star Jelena Ostapenko and American player Taylor Townsend following their U.S. Open matchup on Wednesday (Aug. 27). Townsend defeated Ostapenko in straight sets, 7–5, 6–1, but the post-match handshake quickly turned sour.
As the two players met at the net, Ostapenko appeared to take issue with Townsend refusing to apologize after a point that clipped the net cord. Cameras caught Ostapenko accusing the Chicago native of having “no class” and “no education.” Townsend, standing her ground, reportedly replied, “No, I don’t have to say sorry.”
The comments sparked an immediate wave of backlash online, particularly given the racial undertones many felt were present. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion who has shared the court with Ostapenko before, didn’t hold back when asked about the incident.
“I think obviously it’s one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport,” Osaka told reporters. “And granted, I know Taylor and I know how hard she’s worked and I know how smart she is, so she’s the furthest thing from uneducated or anything like that.”
Osaka also hinted that this wasn’t the first time Ostapenko has made questionable remarks. “If you’re genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don’t think that’s the craziest thing she’s said,” she continued. “I think it’s ill timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to. And I don’t know if she knows the history of it in America.”
For her part, Townsend addressed the controversy in an interview with ESPN after the match. “People get upset when they lose. Some people say bad things,” she explained. In a later press conference, she reiterated her stance: “There’s no beef. But again, like you guys saw, I didn’t back down because you’re not going to insult me, especially after I carried myself with nothing but respect. If I show respect to you, I expect respect as well.”
Ostapenko later responded on Instagram Stories, denying any racist intent. “Wow how many messages I received that I am a racist. I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesn’t matter where you come from,” she wrote, while maintaining that she felt Townsend had been “disrespectful” for not following what she considered tennis etiquette.
Maybe Ostapenko needs a lesson on micro aggressions.