Overview

• After losing to Taylor Townsend in the second round, Jelena Ostapenko told her opponent she had "no class" and "no education" and warned about meeting "outside the U.S.," according to Townsend.
• Ostapenko denied racist intent in an Instagram post, saying her anger stemmed from perceived disrespect and a missed apology for a net-cord point and aspects of Townsend’s warm-up.
• Townsend said she did not personally take the remarks as racist but noted the phrase carries a stigma in the Black community and emphasized moving forward in the tournament.
• Naomi Osaka criticized the language as especially harmful in a majority White sport, while other players, including Aryna Sabalenka and Ben Shelton, weighed in on Ostapenko’s comments and demeanor.
• Following a first-round doubles loss, Ostapenko did not speak with reporters, with the USTA citing medical reasons, and no formal disciplinary action was reported in the coverage.