Ostapenko accuses Townsend of 'no class' in fiery US Open handshake

Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend engaged in a fiery post-match exchange at the US Open after Townsend’s straight-set win. Ostapenko accused the American of having 'no class' and 'no education' during a tense handshake, also warning her to 'see what happens outside the US'.

Townsend defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in a tense second-round encounter on Wednesday, but the real drama unfolded after the final point.



Townsend, who trailed 3-5 in the first set on Court 11, mounted an inspired surge by winning nine consecutive games to seize control and eventually close out the match with a commanding hold, celebrating with a triumphant roar.

However, the intensity carried beyond play. At the net, a dull handshake quickly escalated when Ostapenko directed sharp words at Townsend, sparking a heated post-match exchange.


At one stage, Townsend responded to Ostapenko’s remarks by saying, 'I don’t have to do anything', as the Latvian repeatedly pointed in her direction. Townsend then turned away, shook hands with the chair umpire, and rallied the crowd, drawing loud cheers from the stands.

"It's competition. People get upset when they lose and some people say bad things," Townsend said in an on-court interview.

"She told me I had no class, I have no education and to see what happens when we get outside the US. I'm looking forward to it. I mean, I beat her in Canada outside the US so let's see what else she has to say."


Later on Instagram, Ostapenko explained that her frustration arose from Townsend’s refusal to apologise after a crucial point in which the American’s shot clipped the net and fell in. She accused Townsend of showing 'disrespect' at that moment, adding further fuel to the controversy.

"There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was the first time ever that this happened to me on tour," Ostapenko wrote.

"If she plays in her homeland, it doesn't mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants."

Ostapenko also went on to complain that Townsend warmed up at the net and not the baseline at the start of the match.


Townsend acknowledged Ostapenko’s strong start but said she managed to 'lock in' and shift the momentum in her favor to take control of the match.

"There's no beef. But again, like you saw, I didn't back down, because you're not going to insult me, especially after I carried myself a certain type of way with nothing but respect," Townsend said at the post-match conference.

"If I show respect to you, I expect respect as well. That's the fact of the matter. That's tennis, right? No matter what's going on, it's me versus you, but at the end of the day we have to respect each other and respect what happens out on the court. It's competition."