Taylor Townsend-Jelena Ostapenko argument: What caused US Open confrontation?
- - Taylor Townsend-Jelena Ostapenko argument: What caused US Open confrontation?
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAYAugust 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The 2025 US Open is fully underway and emotions are running high at the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, as evidenced by a heated exchange between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko.
Townsend defeated Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in their second-round match Wednesday evening on Court 11 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Townsend of the U.S. and Ostapenko of Latvia approached the net for a customary post-match handshake and a verbal confrontation ensued.
The ESPN broadcast showed both players going back and forth as Ostapenko waved her finger. Townsend ended up walking away from Ostapenko, and the American star threw her racket down in celebration and prompted the crowd to cheer by holding her hand to her ear.
"People get upset when they lose and some people say bad things," Townsend said during her post-match interview. “(Ostapenko) told me I have no class, no education and to see what happens when we get outside the U.S."
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko got in a heated interaction after their second round match at the US Open.Townsend is on to the third round. pic.twitter.com/cOIYzoyfmG
— ESPN (@espn) August 27, 2025
Townsend, who was recently ranked the No. 1 overall player in doubles, is never one to back down from competition and said she's "looking forward to" playing Ostapenko again in the future.
Wednesday's match marked the third overall meeting between Townsend and Ostapenko. Townsend leads the head-to-head 2-1. In addition to Wednesday's US Open win, Townsend defeated Ostapenko 6-2, 6-1 at the 2024 National Bank Open in Toronto. Ostapenko took their first matchup, beating Townsend 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the 2018 US Open in New York.
"I beat her in Canada outside the U.S.," Townsend said. "I beat her in New York inside the U.S. So, let's see what else she has to say."
Taylor Townsend recounted her interaction with No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko after their second round match at the US Open.Townsend advanced to the third round after her upset win 👏 pic.twitter.com/jFvQHE8iTw
— ESPN (@espn) August 27, 2025
Ostapenko opened Wednesday's match with a 5-3 lead — “When she was playing well, I didn’t say anything. That just shows class," said Townsend — before the American won nine consecutive games. Ostapenko got on the board in the second set at 5-1, but it was too little, too late for the Latvian.
"I turned it up another level and that's what I'm most proud of today," Townsend said.
Townsend will face the winner of Anastasia Potapova and No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva in the third round of the US Open. Her best finish in the tournament was the 2019 US Open, when she advanced to the fourth round.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What did Ostapenko say to Townsend? Watch Taylor Townsend interview
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