Ben Shelton Credits Taylor Townsend for Handling the ‘Offensive Comments’ from Jelena Ostapenko During US Open Meltdown
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko caused a storm after their match at the US Open.
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Ben Shelton (inset) on Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend (via US Open)
Ben Shelton has spoken about the tense exchange between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open. The clash followed their second-round meeting in New York, where Townsend defeated the Latvian 7-5, 6-1.
When the two players met at the net, their conversation quickly turned heated. What should have been a routine handshake escalated into a sharp exchange of words, leaving many in the crowd surprised by the intensity. Shelton told TNT Sports:
I didn’t hear everything or understand everything. I think there were some offensive comments towards her. It wasn’t the smartest thing to say to an American in New York, but she (Taylor Townsend) handled it well. I was going to support Taylor.
Townsend later hinted that Ostapenko made comments about her background and education. Shelton offered his view on the matter, while Ostapenko dismissed suggestions that her remarks carried any racial undertone.
Aryna Sabalenka also weighed in on the controversy. She said she spoke with Ostapenko afterward and explained that the Latvian star can at times lose her composure during emotional moments.
Ben Shelton advances to US Open third round
American tennis star Ben Shelton showed his growing dominance at the 2025 US Open on Wednesday night with a commanding win over Pablo Carreno Busta. The 22-year-old American powered past the Spaniard 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to move into the third round.
The victory extends Shelton’s streak of reaching at least the third round in nine straight Grand Slams. Once an NCAA standout ranked outside the Top 150 just three years ago, he now enters his home Slam as a serious title contender.
Shelton, who recently captured his first Masters 1000 trophy in Toronto, broke Carreno Busta’s serve to open all three sets and secured three more breaks for insurance. The veteran, a semifinalist in New York in 2017 and 2020, struggled to match the American’s pace and aggression.
Although Carreno Busta managed two breaks of his own, Shelton controlled nearly every rally. Mixing booming serves with sharp slices and forehand winners, he tallied 42 winners compared to the Spaniard’s 18, sealing another statement win.
Ben Shelton gets trolled by own girlfriend
After his win on the fourth day of the US Open, the American tennis star Ben Shelton faced one last challenge during his press conference. The moment came after his three-set victory over Pablo Carreno Busta at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Ranked No. 6 in the world, he answered questions from reporters covering the tournament. Most came from international tennis media, but one stood out from a familiar voice in the room.
It turned out to be his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman. She playfully pointed out that his serve speed was a little slower than usual during the match. Shelton gave her a thoughtful response, explaining the reason behind the drop in pace. He then joked that they must allow “anyone” to ask questions, though Rodman clearly wasn’t just anyone to him.
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