"There are certain rules in tennis," Ostapenko responds to Townsend after their US Open dispute
Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend probably won't be going on vacation together. The American eliminated the Latvian, seeded number 25, in the second round (7-5, 6-1), but the two then had a heated discussion at the net during the handshake. Townsend also didn't hold back against her opponent on the court after her victory.
"That's competition. Players get easily upset when they lose. Sometimes, unpleasant things are said. She (Ostapenko) told me I had no class and no education.
She also told me I would see what would happen if we faced each other outside the United States. I beat her last year in Canada, let's see what she says about that," the 29-year-old player stated regarding Ostapenko.
A few minutes later, the latter broke her silence via an Instagram story. Targeted by internet users accusing her of racism, the 2017 Roland Garros winner defended herself on social media and also addressed her opponent's behavior.
"Just a quick clarification. After today's match, I told my opponent that she was disrespectful. She won a point with the help of the net at a crucial moment in the match and didn't apologize.
But her response was that she didn't need to apologize. There are certain rules in tennis that the vast majority of players follow, and this is the first time something like this has happened to me on the tour.
Just because she's playing in her home country doesn't mean she can behave however she wants. At the start of the match, all players are supposed to begin warm-up behind the baseline.
My opponent started directly at the net, which is disrespectful and against tennis match regulations. I've received a lot of messages saying I'm racist. I have NEVER been racist in my life. I respect all countries and all peoples of the world.
To me, where you come from doesn't matter. There are certain rules in tennis, and unfortunately, when the crowd is on your side, you don't have the right to use it to disrespect your opponent.
Unfortunately for me, I come from a small country and never have the chance to play in front of my own crowd. I've always loved playing in the United States and at the US Open, but this is the first time someone has approached a match in such a disrespectful way," Ostapenko wrote on social media.
Both players will compete in women's doubles in the coming days (Townsend with Siniakova and Ostapenko with Krejcikova) and could also face each other in that event.
Lack of class.
Think jelena has a point. What towns did is disrespectful. But jelena should have handled this more classy herself.
There is no rule which says that a player has to apologise if she wins a point with the help of the net. It's at the most a good gesture which I have seen not necessarily shown by all players. Even after players show this gesture the opponent players don't necessarily acknowledge it. In any case there is no disrespect.
Just because she felt disrespected, Jelena doesn't have to show her poor class and poor education by saying insulting things to Townsend.
If Jelena felt that any rule was broken, she should have complained to the Umpire.
I thought Townsend showed a real class and education by not pulling up a racist card.
In the end I think Jelena couldn't digest her defeat well. I wish her peace and success