Naomi Osaka has appeared to aim a subtle dig at Jelena Ostapenko following the US Open.
Osaka, 27, reached the semi-final of the women’s singles event at the recent US Open before falling to a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 defeat against Amanda Anisimova, who then lost 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the tournament’s final against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
As for Ostapenko, 28, she reached the second round before falling to a 7-6, 6-1 defeat to Taylor Townsend.
However, the pair’s match was overshadowed by Ostapenko’s post-match comments.
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As reported by The Athletic, the 28-year-old appeared to tell her American opponent that she had “no education”, following Townsend’s victory at Flushing Meadows.
As the pair shook hands, Ostapenko told Townsend that she should have apologised for a shot that clipped the net – known as a net cord.
Townsend, 29, then claimed that she did not feel the need to apologise before elaborating in a post-match interview with ESPN.
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“She told me I have no class, no education, and to see what happens when we get outside the U.S.,” Townsend said.
Three days later, Ostapenko went on “to apologise for some of the things” she said.
“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,” Ostapenko wrote on X.
The Latvian was heavily criticised by several members of the tennis community, including Osaka, who said that “obviously it’s one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport”.
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“If you’re genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don’t think that’s the craziest thing she’s said,” Osaka added.
Osaka posted several photographs from her time at the US Open on Monday, including a snap of the incident between Ostapenko and Townsend.
Townsend was clearly amused by the post and commented: “LAST SLIDE HAS ME ON THE FLOOR. Love how you slid that in there. real love.”
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Fans were also quick to have their say in the comments section.
One said: “Lmaoooo @ the last slide. Love the bit of pettiness sprinkled in there haha.”
Another added: “Ur the coolest.”
A third claimed: “I loved how messy this us open was, truly."
Topics: Naomi Osaka, US Open, Tennis
Luke Davies