Naomi Osaka blasts Jelena Ostapenko after her heated change with Taylor Townsend on the US Open.
Revealed On 29 Aug 2025
Naomi Osaka stated utilizing phrases like “no schooling” and “no class” to criticise a Black tennis participant have been among the many worst issues to say as the talk over a heated row between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko raged on on the US Open.
Townsend, who’s Black, overcame 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in a troublesome second-round battle on Wednesday.
The flashpoint, nonetheless, got here shortly after match level, when the pair verbally duelled at the net, with the Latvian repeatedly wagging her finger on the American.
Townsend revealed part of the change throughout her on-court interview, after which she stated throughout her information convention that Ostapenko must reply if there have been “racial undertones” to the altercation.
Ostapenko stated on Instagram later that her anger stemmed from Townsend’s refusal to apologise after profitable some extent at a pivotal second when her ball clipped the web and stayed in play, as she accused the American of being “disrespectful”.
Apologising for profitable some extent with help from the web twine is a convention that the majority gamers adhere to, however they aren’t obliged to take action.
The Latvian added in one other assertion that she had by no means been racist in her life, however Osaka stated the phrases Ostapenko selected through the altercation have been in dangerous style.
“It’s one of many worst issues you’ll be able to say to a Black tennis participant in a majority white sport,” four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka stated.
“I do know Taylor and I understand how laborious she’s labored and I understand how sensible she is, so she’s the furthest factor from uneducated or something like that.”
Osaka, born to a Japanese mom and Haitian father, has been an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter motion each in the USA, the place she lives, and in Japan. She was a champion advocate for the marketing campaign throughout her run to the 2020 Flushing Meadows title.
The 27-year-old had used her platform to focus on racial injustice in the USA to a wider viewers by carrying a distinct face masks – every bearing the identify of an African American who had been killed in recent times – earlier than every of her seven matches.
“In the event you’re like genuinely asking me in regards to the historical past of Ostapenko, I don’t suppose that’s the craziest factor she’s stated. I’m going to be trustworthy,” Osaka continued with a smile.
“I believe it’s in poor health timing and the worst particular person you may have ever stated it to. And I don’t know if she is aware of the historical past of it in America.
“I do know she’s by no means going to say that ever once more in her life. However yeah, it was simply horrible. That’s simply actually dangerous.”
American Coco Gauff waded into the talk, saying though Ostapenko shouldn’t have stated what she stated, it was a “warmth of the second” factor.
“I do know what was stated after the match,” stated Gauff, one other vocal advocate for social points together with racial justice.
“It was a warmth of the second factor. Jelena was in all probability feeling feelings after she misplaced. I do suppose that shouldn’t have been stated no matter the way you’re feeling … Figuring out Taylor personally, she’s the other of that.”
Gauff stated that Townsend was one of many nicest individuals she knew and hoped individuals would now make an effort to seek out out extra about her.
“Perhaps that is the primary persons are listening to who Taylor is, and I don’t need that to be the primary focus of who she is as a result of she’s much more than that.
“She’s a mom, an important good friend, a gifted tennis participant and a superb particular person. On the finish of this event I hope individuals do a deep dive into her and get to know her greater than what was stated within the earlier match.”
