Overview

• On Saturday, Jelena Ostapenko posted an Instagram apology, saying her use of “education” referred to tennis etiquette and acknowledging the offense caused.
• The clash followed Taylor Townsend’s second‑round win, when Ostapenko told her she had “no class” and “no education” after a net‑cord point.
• Townsend said she did not interpret the remark as racist and called the apology “nice,” framing the episode as a learning moment.
• Townsend reached the US Open fourth round by upsetting world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva and is set to play Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday.
• Reaction across tennis included strong criticism from Naomi Osaka and public backing for Townsend from Venus Williams and Coco Gauff.