American tennis participant Taylor Townsend is on her technique to the third spherical of the U.S. Open after defeating top-25-ranked Jelena Ostapenko in an upset victory on Wednesday evening. Nevertheless, a heated alternate between the gamers after the match ended has gone viral, with some claiming the Latvian participant’s indignant feedback weren’t solely these of a sore loser but in addition probably racist.
Townsend defeated Ostapenko in straight units, 7-6, 6-1, to advance to the third spherical of the U.S. Open, the final of the 4 annual Grand Slam tournaments. The victory was an upset win for Townsend, who ranks No. 1 in doubles tennis however is ranked 139 in singles play. Ostapenko is ranked twenty fifth in ladies’s singles tennis and is a Grand Slam winner, having gained the French Open in 2017.
As the 2 gamers shook arms on the finish of the match, they appeared to interact in a short argument that has since been shared extensively throughout social media. Though a lot of what they stated was inaudible as a result of noise of the group, Ostapenko stated, “You need to apologize” whereas pointing on the internet, to which Townsend responded, “I don’t must do something.” The argument continued, with Ostapenko repeatedly pointing her finger near Townsend’s face earlier than Townsend walked away, shook the hand of the umpire and waved to the cheering crowd.
Requested by a reporter in regards to the argument, Townsend defined, “It’s competitors. Folks get upset after they lose. Some individuals say dangerous issues,” earlier than she recounted Ostapenko’s feedback. “She advised me I’ve no class, I’ve no schooling, and to see what occurs after we get outdoors the U.S.”
Townsend, certainly one of a number of Black ladies tennis gamers representing america on the U.S. Open, was later requested if she thought Ostapenko was being racist towards her together with her feedback.
“I didn’t take it in that method, but in addition, you recognize, that has been a stigma in our group of being ‘not educated’ and the entire issues, when it’s the furthest factor from the reality,” Townsend stated. She added, “So whether or not it had racial undertones or not, that’s one thing that she will be able to communicate on, however the one factor that I’m nervous about proper now’s persevering with to maneuver ahead by this event.”
In posts on Instagram, Ostapenko claimed that her complaints about Townsend have been associated to tennis etiquette. She accused the American of not apologizing for a degree Townsend gained after the ball bounced off the web and for warming up on the internet as an alternative of the baseline.
Ostapenko later addressed “what number of messages I acquired that I’m a racist,” saying, “I used to be NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of individuals on the earth, for me it doesn’t matter the place you come from.”
Earlier than Wednesday evening, Townsend and Ostapenko had every gained one victory towards the opposite. With Townsend now pulling forward of their head-to-head file, they’ll possible resolve any lingering friction on the tennis courtroom. For now, Ostapenko defends her phrases and actions whereas Townsend prepares for her subsequent opponent on the U.S. Open.
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