Jelena Ostapenko apologized on social media three days after telling Taylor Townsend she had 'no class' and 'no education' following their second-round US Open match. Townsend, who is Black, said Ostapenko berated her for not apologizing for a net cord, used insulting language, and questioned her intellect and character. The comments prompted accusations of racism and public support from players including Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, with Osaka calling the reported remarks 'one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority white sport.' Ostapenko said English is not her native language and meant 'education' as tennis etiquette, and Townsend said she received widespread support.
Jelena Ostapenko apologized on social media Saturday, three days after telling American Taylor Townsend that she had "no class" and "no education" following their second-round match at the US Open. Townsend, who is Black, and Ostapenko, who is from Latvia, had an intense back-and-forth after Townsend won in straight sets Wednesday. After their match, Townsend said Ostapenko berated her for not apologizing for a net cord and then used insulting language and questioned Townsend's intellect and character.
"I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match. 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. Goodbye New York and I look forward to being back next year."
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