“One of the worst things you can tell a black tennis player”: Osaka knocks on Ostapenko | US Open Tennis 2025
Naomi Osaka condemned the comments of Jelena Ostapenko during her confrontation with Taylor Townsend at the US Open.
Wednesday’s incident was one of the most discussed of the tournament, Ostapenko accusing the American Townsend of having no education and no class after their second round match. The comments, which Ostapenko justified as a reaction to Townsend who did not apologize for a shot that struck the top of the net, caused accusations of racism.
Ostapenko firmly denied that on social networks, while Townsend also said that she had not interpreted the remarks in this way, but Osaka gave the Latvian a verbal volley when he was questioned on the incident.
“I think this is obviously one of the worst things you can tell a black tennis player in a majority white sport,” Osaka said after reaching the third round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2021 with a 6-3 victory, 6-1 against the American Hailey Baptiste. “I know that Taylor and I know how hard she worked and I know how intelligent she is, so she is the most distant thing without instruction or something like that.”
Ostapenko is known as one of the most fertic characters in the women’s tour and Osaka added: “If you really ask me questions about the story of Ostapenko, I don’t think it is the craziest thing she said. I’m going to be honest.
“I think that is not the case and the worst person you could have said. And I don’t know if she knows the story in America. But I know that she will never say it in her life. It was simply terrible.”
Asked about the incident, Townsend hopes that attention around confrontation and attracting attention can be positive for the United States open and tennis in general. “If I am someone who can attract huge crowds in stadiums like a name that can bring people to come and buy tickets and support the game, then it is a crown that I will gladly wear,” said Townsend.
“Anyway, whatever the type of attention it has brought, he does the right things, which led people to see sport and bring people to support and that’s what it is.”
When asked if she thought that the comments had racial nuances, Townsend said that she had not taken it in this way but recognized: “It was a stigma in our community to be” not educated “and all things, when it is the most distant thing from the truth.”
Even in private, Townsend said that other players approached her to approach the subject and express their support. Online, she won thousands of followers on social networks.
“It’s cool to know that people see you and people look and more than anything,” said Townsend. “I hoped that it had received a certain type, and it was, so it was just an external validation that I managed things in the right way and that is what I am most proud and the most satisfied. I was not looking for this, and in my answers and when I decided and I said people and I said I said that I was not looking for these things, but it’s nice to know that I made people proud. ”
Aryna Sabalenka also approached the incident, revealing that she had spoken to Ostapenko after the row. “I must say that she is kind,” said the Belarusian. “She can sometimes lose control. She has things in life to face and difficulties. I was just trying to help her face more, trying to help her settle and was someone to talk to and drop.
“I really hope that one day she will present herself and she will manage it much better. I’m almost sure, looking back, she is not satisfied with her behavior. ”
Ostapenko was back on the ground at Flushing Meadows Thursday in the doubles and may have feared a hostile reception of the crowd, but that did not prove to be the case, with cheers rather than wicks.
The former champion of the French Open refused to fulfill her press obligations thereafter, the organizers citing medical reasons.
