Naomi Osaka has strongly criticised Jelena Ostapenko after the Latvian’s post-match comments about American Taylor Townsend sparked controversy at the US Open. Ostapenko, who lost 7-5 6-1 to Townsend in the second round on Wednesday, accused her opponent of poor sportsmanship and claimed she had “no education” after a disagreement about a net cord point. The remarks quickly drew backlash across the tennis world.
Townsend, who dismissed any racial intent in Ostapenko’s words, acknowledged that such stereotypes carry a troubling history. “I didn’t take it that way,” she said, “but that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, when it’s the furthest thing from the truth.” Ostapenko later denied any racist undertone in an Instagram statement, insisting her frustration was taken out of context.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka said the comments were unacceptable, calling them “ill-timed and the worst person you could have ever said it to.” She added: “I don’t know if she knows the history of it in America. But I know she’s never going to say that ever again in her life. It was just terrible. Taylor has worked so hard and is so smart—she’s the furthest thing from uneducated.”
World number three Coco Gauff also weighed in, saying Ostapenko’s choice of words was wrong regardless of intent. “I think it was a heat of the moment thing. Jelena was probably feeling emotions after she lost,” the 21-year-old said. “That shouldn’t have been said, especially given the reasons she stated. Knowing Taylor personally, she’s the opposite of that.” Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka revealed she spoke privately with Ostapenko to encourage her to “handle things in a more mature way,” admitting the Latvian can sometimes “lose control.”
Ostapenko, a former French Open champion, withdrew from her media duties after losing in the women’s doubles on Thursday, with organisers citing illness. The incident has overshadowed her US Open campaign and raised questions over her temperament. As criticism continues from fellow players, many in the sport hope the 27-year-old will reflect and learn from the episode, with Osaka stressing it should serve as a lesson about words that carry damaging weight in tennis and beyond.
