Iga Swiatek Shows Disapproval for Post-Match Handshakes Following Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend Controversy
Iga Swiatek survived a huge scare in the second round of the US Open.
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Iga Swiatek on Jelena Ostapenko-Taylor Townsend controversy (via PuntodeBreak)
Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend have created one of the biggest controversies in this year’s US Open. The duo were seen engaging in a war of words following their second round encounter at Flushing Meadows.
A day later, Iga Swiatek was asked a question about the importance of post-match handshakes with reference to that incident. Astonishingly, the former World No.1 showed her disapproval towards this moment. Swiatek said in her US Open press conference:
Honestly, I’ve never thought about this, I just got used to living that moment since I was a child, we always did it…In my case, I think I never had a problem with that, although surely when facing someone who is very tough, I probably wouldn’t want to shake hands at the end, but I always did. I think it’s good to congratulate the opponent when you lose or say something if you win, it also depends on the social skills of each player.
Swiatek has had her fair share of cold handshakes recently. Earlier this year, she was seen having an awkward handshake with Danielle Collins given their past history. The Pole will hope she has more matches at the US Open though as she bids for a seventh Grand Slam title. Her lone US Open title came in 2022.
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko may have another US Open match
The 2025 US Open has already produced its share of drama, with the spotlight falling on Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend. Their second-round clash, which Townsend won 7-5, 6-1, ended in controversy when a tense exchange at the net overshadowed the tennis.
Ostapenko appeared upset over Townsend’s reaction to a net cord and accused her opponent of lacking “class” and “education.” The 2017 French Open champion skipped press duties afterward but later used Instagram to reject any claims that her words carried racist intent.
Organizers now face another storm just days after a separate issue involving Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi. While the hope is that results on court will soon dominate, this latest confrontation continues to capture headlines, with the possibility of a rematch still on the table in New York.
Both players also remain active in doubles. Townsend, the world No. 1 in doubles, has captured recent Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon 2024 and the Australian Open 2025 alongside Katerina Siniakova. In fact, that Australian Open win came against Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei, who also reached the Wimbledon final together earlier this summer.
Iga Swiatek survives scare
No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek was pushed hard in her second-round match at the US Open but came through against Suzan Lamens. The Pole prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in just over two hours, stretching her winning streak to seven matches.
Swiatek dominated the opening set but lost her grip in the second. She twice held a break advantage, only for Lamens to fight back and level the contest. It was the first set Swiatek had dropped since her Montreal defeat to Clara Tauson earlier this month.
The decider also proved tricky. Lamens rallied from 1-4 down to apply late pressure, but Swiatek held firm to secure the victory. The result marked her 16th win in her last 17 matches, a run that includes lifting the Wimbledon and Cincinnati trophies this summer.
Next up for Swiatek is 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya, who beat Yulia Putintseva in straight sets to reach the third round for the second year running. The head-to-head is even, with Kalinskaya winning in Dubai last year before Swiatek turned the tables earlier this month in Cincinnati.
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