Jelena Ostapenko has strongly denied accusations of racism after it was claimed that she called out US Open opponent Taylor Townsend for having "no education" and "no class".
It was one of the more surprising results of this week's US Open action. Townsend, a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, recorded a 7-5, 6-1 win over 25th seed Ostapenko in their second round match at Flushing Meadows.
After coming back from 3-5 down to secure the opening set, the unseeded American breezed past her Latvian opponent in the second to secure victory.
Townsend's performance was commendable on Court 11, but rather than her performance against Ostapenko, a lengthy and animated post-match exchange between the pair has dominated the headlines.
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Speaking in her on-court interview, Townsend did not hold back on the exchange, as seen below.
“She told me I have no class, I have no education, and to see what happens when we get outside the US," said Townsend. "I’m looking forward to it. I beat her in Canada outside the US. So let’s see what else she has to say.”
Ostapenko soon took to social media to give her version of events, accusing Townsend of unsporting behaviour.
"I told my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding moment and didn't say sorry, but her answer was that she doesn't have to say sorry at all," said Ostapenko.
"There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was [the] first time ever that this happened to me on tour. If she plays in her homeland it doesn't mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants."
Responding to her opponent, Townsend added: "I think it's comical. To then go online and have to justify what you said, you obviously feel some type of way and feel like you have to give an explanation for how you acted."
Some users on social media accused Ostapenko of using 'racist tropes' to attack her opponent, as per The Independent.
Townsend was asked if she felt the comments had racist undertones. "I'm very proud as a black woman being out here representing myself and representing us and our culture," she said.
"I make sure that I do everything that I can to be the best representation possible every time that I step on the court and even off the court.
"So I can't speak on how she felt about it. That's something that you're going to have to ask her. I didn't take it in that way, but also, that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated and all of the things when it's the furthest thing from the truth."
Ostapenko would later take to Instagram to address the allegations. "I was never racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world," she wrote. "For me, it doesn't matter where you come from."
Jack Kenmare