Naomi Osaka Seemingly Takes Dig at Jelena Ostapenko over Controversial Comment on Taylor Townsend During US Open

Taylor Townsend lost to Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round of the US Open.

Naomi Osaka Seemingly Takes Dig at Jelena Ostapenko over Controversial Comment on Taylor Townsend During US Open

Taylor Townsend, Jelena Ostapenko, Naomi Osaka (Image via X/ESPN, The Tennis Letter)

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The US Open has ended, and Naomi Osaka, after her decent run, took to social media to reflect on her campaign. On her latest Instagram post, Osaka shared photos, and it’s the last photo that’s been making headlines.

The last one was a picture of Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko. Ostapenko sparked massive controversy when she told the American she had “no class” and “no education” after their second-round match at the US Open.

Check out Osaka’s Instagram post here:

When Osaka was asked during a press conference at the US Open about the altercation, she said it was the worst thing one could say to a Black tennis player in a majority white sport. In that aforementioned post, she got a reply from Townsend.

LAST SLIDE HAS ME ON THE FLOOR (laughing face emoji) Love how you slid that in there (crying face emoji). Real love (love heart emojis).

Taylor Townsend wrote on Instagram comments
Taylor Townsend's Instagram comment
Taylor Townsend’s Instagram comment

In the New York Slam, the Japanese produced her best performance in Majors since the 2021 Australian Open. She reached the semifinals but couldn’t overcome eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova.

Osaka has so far reached two finals this season, at the ASB Classic and Cincinnati Masters, losing both to Clara Tauson and Victoria Mboko, respectively. She has not yet lifted a title since her career’s fourth Grand Slam win at the 2021 Australian Open.

Taylor Townsend on the Jelena Ostapenko controversy

Jelena Ostapenko explained her conduct on social media, and after heavy backlash, she finally apologized, blaming her English. Taylor Townsend said she understands that because English is not Ostapenko’s first language, she ended up saying those aforementioned things to her, and it was perceived as racist. But Townsend, during her interview with CBS News, had made it clear that she would not tolerate any kind of disrespectful behavior.

Jelena Ostapenko, Taylor Townsend (2)
Jelena Ostapenko, Taylor Townsend (Image via X/LEA)

I mean, the thing is, I have compassion and understanding, I know and I understand that it’s not her first language, and I said that, I don’t think she really understands the words that she said and what they mean to us and our culture and where we are in America. She doesn’t understand the magnitude of what those words mean and the weight behind them.

It was their career’s third meeting in singles, and Townsend now took a 2-1 head-to-head edge. After knocking out the 2017 French Open champion, Townsend also eliminated teen sensation Mirra Andreeva in the following round before she suffered a three-set defeat to 2024  Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.

But, I mean, it’s like, you know, there were things that transpired after the fact that I was just like ‘Okay, this may not be the most sincere but as a human, I understand, you give grace where grace is due but then like I said, I don’t tolerate disrespect and especially when I treat you with respect and with sportsmanship and I am honoring the game, don’t disrespect me.

Taylor Townsend added

Townsend played the fourth round of the US Open singles for the second time after her run in 2019. Ostapenko produced her best performance at the US Open when she reached the quarterfinals in 2023.

In doubles, the No. 1-ranked Townsend and her partner Katerina Siniakova suffered a straight-set defeat to third seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe in the final. Townsend and Siniakova have clinched two Grand Slam titles, including this year’s Australian Open.

Ostapenko also has one doubles Major title to her name. She won last year’s US Open with Lyudmyla Kichenok and also played two Australian Open and one French Open doubles final. In this year’s US Open doubles, she and Krejcikova suffered a first-round exit.

Also read: Martina Navratilova Gives her Verdict on Carlos Alcaraz’s Triumph Over Jannik Sinner at the US Open final