
August 28, 2025
Taylor Townsend claps again after opponent Jelena Ostapenko claims she has “no class” and “no training.”
Taylor Townsend is being applauded for the way she dealt with a heated post-game change with opponent Jelena Ostapenko after allegedly being advised she has “no class” and “no training.”
The tennis star grew to become the discuss of the city after her Aug. 27 victory over Ostapenko, which secured her spot within the third spherical of the U.S. Open. Following the match, a now-viral clip captured by ESPN reveals the 2 exchanging phrases after their post-match handshake.
From one other angle, Townsend is seen ending the heated change by telling Ostapenko to “discover ways to take a loss higher.” She then turns to the group, hyping them up as they erupt in cheers and applause—following an onslaught of boos directed at Ostapenko.
When talking with a sideline reporter after the change, Townsend detailed the change and the way Ostapenko allegedly berated her following her loss.
“Individuals get upset after they lose, and a few individuals say unhealthy issues,” Townsend mentioned. “She advised me I’ve no class, I’ve no training, and to see what occurs once we get outdoors the U.S. So I’m wanting ahead to it.”
Bringing it again to the sport, Townsend credited Ostapenko for taking part in properly within the early half of the sport, and cites the way it solely motivated her to play more durable, one thing somebody with “class” would do.
“She was taking part in very well initially, and you already know, when she was taking part in properly, I didn’t say something,” Townsend mentioned. “And in order that simply reveals class. I imply, generally individuals are taking part in too good, and it’s a must to simply take it. However I turned it up one other stage, and that’s what I’m most happy with right now.”
After dealing with backlash and accusations of racism, Ostapenko responded on her Instagram Story, dismissing the claims whereas doubling down on her stance that Townsend’s habits through the match was “disrespectful.”
“I used to be by no means racist in my life and I respect all nations of individuals on this planet,” she wrote.
Ostapenko, a local of Riga, Latvia, and winner of the 2017 French Open, argued that Townsend held the home-court benefit competing within the U.S., whereas she didn’t, coming from what she described as a “small nation.”
“There are some guidelines in tennis and sadly, when the group is with you, you possibly can’t use it in disrespectful technique to your opponent,” Ostapenko mentioned. “Sadly for me, coming from such a small nation, I don’t have that vast assist and an opportunity to play in homeland.”
In her post-match press convention, Townsend expressed delight in her efficiency, saying she “let my racket discuss.”
The win marked a significant upset, as Townsend, finest often known as a WTA doubles standout, is at present ranked No. 139 in singles. She grew to become the lowest-ranked American lady to defeat a former Grand Slam champion at a significant since Kristie Ahn, who coincidentally beat Ostapenko on the 2019 U.S. Open. Subsequent, Townsend faces a tricky third-round check towards No. 5-ranked Mirra Andreeva on Aug. 29.
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