Naomi Osaka slams Jelena Ostapenko as racism storm erupts at US Open

Naomi Osaka has sharply criticised Jelena Ostapenko after the Latvian’s remarks towards Taylor Townsend ignited a racism controversy at the US Open. Ostapenko’s post-match outburst drew swift backlash, with many accusing her of crossing a serious line. Osaka condemned the comments as 'terrible' and stressed the need for greater respect among players.

Ostapenko found herself at the centre of controversy on Wednesday after unleashing a furious on-court tirade at African American opponent Taylor Townsend following her second-round defeat. Townsend later disclosed that Ostapenko had accused her of having 'no education and no class' during the heated exchange, remarks that quickly drew widespread criticism.

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Ostapenko later took to Instagram to explain that her frustration stemmed from Townsend’s refusal to apologise after winning a key point when her shot clipped the net and dropped in. She accused the American of being ‘disrespectful’ at that moment, insisting it was the trigger for her angry reaction.


Osaka, born to a Japanese mother and Haitian father, has been a prominent supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement in both the United States, where she resides, and in Japan. She was widely praised for using her 2020 US Open title run to spotlight racial injustice, wearing a different black face mask before each of her seven matches, each bearing the name of an African American who had been killed in recent years.

"I think obviously it's one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority white sport," four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka said following her second round win over Hailey Baptiste on Thursday.

"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.

"It's ill timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to. And I don't know if (Ostapenko) 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. Like, that's just really bad."


As the remarks were widely interpreted as racist on social media, Ostapenko was forced to issue a denial late on Wednesday.

"Wow how many messages I received that I am a racist," Ostapenko wrote on Instagram.

"I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesn't matter where you come from," she added, before reiterating that her criticism of Townsend was driven by what she saw as a breach of on-court etiquette.


Townsend’s mixed doubles partner, Ben Shelton, also slammed Ostapenko’s choice of words, adding his voice to the growing backlash.

"Some shocking comments towards (Townsend), and not the smartest thing to say to an American in New York City," Shelton said. "Kind of speaks for itself, right? Crazy. Crazy statement."