US Open 2025: The Latvian tennis star apologizes for remarks

Latvian tennis star Jelena Ostapenko apologized on social networks for what she said to the American tennis player Taylor Townsend during an emotional explosion after an American open loss.

Ostapenko told Townsend that she had “no education” when she pointed her finger on her opponent after a defeat in early tournament against the American. She wrote on social networks that English is not her mother tongue, “so when I said education, I only talked about what I believe (is) the tennis label, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court.”

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Jelena Ostapenko was competing for Taylor Townsend after their match at the US Open on August 27, 2025, in New York. (Images Clive Brunskill / Getty)

Townsend reacted to apologies after winning his double match on Saturday. She said she didn’t know it.

“It was good that she did that, that she apologized,” said Townsend. “It’s good. It’s cool. At the end of the day, I think it’s a learning lesson for her … It is great that she went on social networks and apologized. But I really hope that, from that, she can take it like, hey, you cannot control people and it’s better to focus on yourself.”

Townsend said she hadn’t heard of Ostapenko. Townsend beat the ostapenko 7-5, classified n ° 25, 6-1. The two came face to face after the match with Ostapenko delivering the insults.

Jeaena Ostapenko in the first round of the US Open on August 24, 2025 in New York. (Vera Nieuwenhuis, File / AP Photo)

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Townsend, which is black, was requested by a journalist if Ostapenko’s comments on the net had racial nuances.

“I did not take it this way, but also, you know, it was a stigmatization in our community to be” not educated “and all things, when it is the most distant thing from the truth,” replied Townsend.

“So, whether racial shades or not, it is something she can talk about. The only thing that worries me at the moment is to continue to move forward in this tournament.”

Taylor Townsend in action against Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Mike Frey / Imagn images)

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Ostapenko said immediately after the match she was upset, Townsend did not apologize after being helped by a net cord during a point. She also challenged Townsend warming before the net match, rather than the basic line.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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