Ostapenko reignites Townsend feud after US Open racism dispute

Jelena Ostapenko has reignited her feud with Taylor Townsend after a US Open episode in which Ostapenko was accused of racism amid a dispute over etiquette and a disputed net cord. Townsend, an American who is Black, defeated Ostapenko in straight sets, prompting Ostapenko to say Townsend had “no class” and “no education.” The remarks were quickly interpreted by many observers as racially coded, though Ostapenko insisted she was criticizing tennis etiquette rather than targeting Townsend’s race. She later apologized, saying English is not her native language and that she was referencing on-court behavior rather than the person.

The incident added fuel to a public-relations fire that has since moved well beyond New York, helping to tether Ostapenko’s current form to a broader conversation about cultural sensitivity and media interpretation in sport. Townsend, for her part, faced her own backlash recently in China after criticizing the country’s traditional cuisine during a Billie Jean King Cup event. She described the dishes—sea cucumber, turtle and bullfrog— as “offensive” and “super ignorant,” then issued an apology in which she acknowledged the privilege of traveling the world as a professional athlete and said her remarks did not reflect the broader hospitality she had encountered.

The US Open exchange did not end with the apology, however. Ostapenko has since appeared to lean into Townsend’s latest controversy by liking an Instagram comment that referenced their dispute. She also posted a photo from Beijing’s Great Wall, drawing reactions from fans who described her as “very educated in China” and “Cultured and Educated Queen!” as she prepares for the China Open. Ostapenko’s activity on social media has kept the dialogue in the spotlight as she trains for the next stop in her schedule.

Ostapenko is preparing for the China Open, where she is slated to face Australian Priscilla Hon in the opening rounds. The Latvian has been sharing images from her travels in China, including a recent post from the Forbidden City described by Ostapenko as an “amazing experience.” The timing of these posts, along with Townsend’s ongoing controversy, has kept the public focus on both players as they navigate their personalities and public perception ahead of a springboard tournament that can influence momentum for the fall season.

The two players’ 2025 seasons have been marked by high-profile moments that extend beyond the court. Townsend, who ranks among the world doubles No. 2, has drawn scrutiny for her social-media activity and for public responses to cultural differences while traveling with the Billie Jean King Cup team. Ostapenko, who has long been known for outspoken moments, has found herself in a similar orbit, where interpretation matters as much as result. In the wake of the US Open episode, Ostapenko issued a formal apology in which she said: “English is not my native language so when I said education I was speaking only about what I believe as tennis etiquette, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court. I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a tennis player.” She added that she looked forward to competing in China again next year.

The China Open presents a fresh stage for Ostapenko’s continued ascent and a potential turning point for Townsend, whose own handling of the situation has drawn its own share of commentary. While the two players have not faced each other since the controversy reignited, their public postures—Ostapenko’s social-media engagement and Townsend’s conciliatory tone—underscore how the balance between performance and perception has become a central element of their careers.

The public narrative around both players in recent weeks has highlighted a broader pattern in modern tennis: the intersection of sport, culture, language and social media, and how a single moment can reverberate across continents. Ostapenko’s team has not disclosed any new discipline or reprimand related to the US Open comments, but the interaction remains a talking point for fans and commentators who analyze what is said on-court and how it travels online. Townsend’s latest apology, meanwhile, emphasized gratitude for the opportunity to compete globally and a commitment to growth, though it did little to erase the broader debate about cultural sensitivities sparked by her initial remarks.

As Ostapenko returns to competitive action in Beijing, the question for observers is whether the public narrative will shift from a feud defined by heated exchanges to a storyline focused on performance and resilience. For Townsend, the question centers on how she can navigate the social-media spotlight while continuing to push back against perceptions that have sometimes framed her remarks as more controversial than intended. With both players poised to compete at the China Open, fans will be watching not only for results but also for how each woman manages public perception in a sport where image and message increasingly matter as much as the ball in play.