‘One of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player’: Osaka hits back at Ostapenko

Naomi Osaka has condemned Jelena Ostapenko’s comments during her courtside confrontation with Taylor Townsend at the US Open.

The incident on Wednesday has been one of the most talked-about of the tournament, with Ostapenko accusing the American Townsend of having no education and no class after their second-round match. The comments, which Ostapenko justified as a reaction to Townsend not apologising for a shot that hit the top of the net, have prompted accusations of racism.

Ostapenko strongly denied that on social media, while Townsend also said she did not interpret the remarks in that way, but Osaka gave the Latvian a verbal volley 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,” said Osaka after reaching the third round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2021 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over the American Hailey Baptiste. “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.”

Ostapenko is known as one of the feistiest characters on the women’s tour and Osaka added: “If you’re genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don’t think that’s the craziest thing she’s said. I’m going to be honest.

“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. But I know she’s never going to say that ever again in her life. It was just terrible.”

Asked about the incident, Townsend hopes the attention around the confrontation and her calling attention to it can be a positive for the US Open and tennis in general. “If I’m someone who can draw huge crowds into the stadiums as a name that can bring people to come and buy tickets and support the game, then that’s a crown that I’ll gladly wear,” Townsend said.

“Whatever that it is, whatever type of attention that it brought, it’s doing the right things, which is bring people to see the sport and bringing people in to support and that’s what it’s all about.”

View image in fullscreen Taylor Townsend during a 7-5, 6-2 doubles win with Katerina Siniakova against Aldila Sutjiadi and Nadiia Kichenok on Thursday at Flushing Meadows. Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP

When asked if she thought the comments had racial undertones, Townsend said she didn’t take it that way but acknowledged: “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.”

Even privately, Townsend said other players came up to her to broach the subject and express their support. Online, she gained thousands of social media followers.

“It’s cool to know that people see you and people are watching and more than anything,” Townsend said. “I was hoping that it was received a certain type of way, and it was, so it was just external validation that I handled things the right way and that’s what I’m the most proud of and the most happy with. I wasn’t looking for that, and in my answers and when I decided and I spoke and I said what I said I wasn’t looking for those things, but it’s nice to know that I made people proud.”

Aryna Sabalenka has also addressed the incident, revealing she had spoken to Ostapenko following the row. “I have to say that she’s nice,” the Belarusian said. “She just sometimes can lose control. She has some things in life to face and some struggles. I was just trying to help her to face it more in a mature way, trying to help her to settle down and just was someone she could speak to and just let it go.

“I really hope that one day she will figure herself and she will handle it much better. I’m pretty sure, looking back, she’s not happy with her behaviour.”

Ostapenko was back on court at Flushing Meadows on Thursday in the doubles and may have feared a hostile reception from the crowd but that did not turn out to be the case, with cheers rather than jeers.

The former French Open champion declined to fulfil her press obligations afterwards, with organisers citing medical reasons.

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