Ostapenko Apologizes for Taunting Townsend

By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 30, 2025

NEW YORK—Jelena Ostapenko has apologized for taunting Taylor Townsend during their heated post-match exchange on Wednesday night.

Doubles world No. 1 Townsend upset the 25th-seeded Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-1 to reach the US Open third round.

In the testy post-match handshake, Ostapenko, who was upset her opponent did not apologize for a net-cord shot, could be heard blasting Townsend saying “you have no education…wait until we are outside the U.S.”

Some players, commentators and fans called Ostapenko out for those remarks.

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka said it’s “one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player.”

Today, Ostapenko apologized on Instagram Stories.

“I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match,” Ostapenko 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.”

Townsend, who said she has not spoken to Ostapenko personally since their heated exchange, said it was nice the Latvian apologized via social media.

“No, that’s nice that she did that, that she apologized. I mean, that’s fine. That’s cool,” Townsend told the media at the US Open. “At the end of the day, I think that it’s a learning lesson for her. Again, like I said when everything first happened, you cannot push your expectations on other people. That’s ultimately what happened.”

Townsend suggested Ostapenko was trying to incite a reaction from her with the “no education” remark.

“She expected for me to react a certain type of way, and I didn’t, and it infuriated her. Which led her to say things that are hurtful, that are belligerent, that are offensive, not only to me, but, you know, to the sport and to a whole culture of people that I try to do my best to represent the best that I can,” Townsend said. “So for me, it’s nice that she apologized. You know, this isn’t the first, second, third, fourth time. There have been incidents where she gets upset about a net cord so it’s not a surprising thing that she acted this way.

“Also, we just have to keep in mind that it’s competition, we’re playing a sport. You know, you can’t get upset if someone doesn’t do something that you want them to do. Like, who are you? I can’t get mad that you don’t do something that maybe I expect for you to do.”

4 comments

Ozzman 08/31/2025 3:40 PM

The whole net-cord, sorry-not sorry gesture, is stupid, to begin with. Why do you have to apologize because your shot hit the tape and went over? It’s not like it was intentional. Do wide receivers apologize for making a one handed catch, or an outfielder for denying a home run by making a leaping catch? C’mon!! Ostepenko is a big baby. Evidently, this is a common occurrence with her, not a language/communication problem.

Tommy 08/31/2025 5:25 PM

I personally apologize when I win a point on a let court that negatively affects my opponent. I’m not sorry I won the point rather I’m acknowledging that I was a bit lucky. I find it annoying when others don’t.

dirk woods 08/31/2025 8:12 PM

Learning the elements of a good apollogy would serve all of these talented athletes early in there career. There iw now a formal process

Rita Grant 09/01/2025 4:38 PM

The US Open, the USTA, and the governing body (if different) that fined Ben Shelton should fine Ostapenko for an equal or greater amount. Ben Shelton should not have been fined at all. It was clear that Cobolli said something culturally offensive to Ben Shelton and that is why Ben Shelton reacted. Shelton was fined and actually protected Cobolli by not sharing what Cobolli said to Shelton. Townsend was clearly abused and racially insulted by Ostapenko and the punishment is a half apology because Ostapenko claims that English is not her first language. What about the “you have no class” comment she made to Townsend? Not addressed in her apology. The USTA always punishes ethnic players harshly and make excuses for some white players who behave badly. If the tables were turned Townsend would have been fined like Ben Shelton. It is clear that Ben Shelton and his Dad had prepared for a Cobolli like encounter and decided to take the high road despite the very inappropriate fine Shelton received from the USTA. I applaud the USTA for enforcing a higher ethical and etiquette standard to preserve the integrity of the sport. Disproportionate application of fines and admonishments is not consistent with that standard. It does come off as racist whether or not that is your intention, USTA.