Venus Williams issues verdict on US Open row as Taylor Townsend gets apology from rival
There's been plenty of drama at the US Open, but one incident got everyone talking.
There’s been plenty of drama in week one of the US Open. From Daniil Medvedev’s outburst to Stefanos Tsitsipas squaring up to a rival about an underarm serve. But the most talked-about incident involved Jelena Ostapenko.
The No. 25 seed sparked backlash when she confronted Taylor Townsend at the end of their second-round match, telling the American she had “no class” and “no education”. Ostapenko has since issued an apology, but tennis legend Venus Williams has now had her say on the “not so classy” moment that has dominated headlines at the tournament.
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“My thoughts about it? It was a lot of drama. It was a lot of drama. I thought Taylor handled it amazing. I really did,” the seven-time Major winner said after winning her doubles match on Saturday.
“I just thought with her as a mum, how she handled it, her son will be watching. Her son is watching. She handled it with class, a situation that was not so classy. Just moved on and won again.
“So she's handling it amazing. I'm rooting for her. She's a wonderful person, a great mum. I hope she can keep going.”
Townsend has let her racket do the talking amid the drama and discourse. Currently ranked at No. 1 in doubles, she’s announced herself on the singles court over the past week.
After taking out 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko, she stunned No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva to reach the last 16. And she’s still going in the women’s doubles draw alongside her partner, Katerina Siniakova.
“Saying I have no education and no class, I don't really take that personally, because I know that it's so far from the truth and so far from anything. Again, if I allow what other people have to say about me affect me in that way, then they win,” Townsend said immediately after the match.
Ostapenko initially claimed she confronted Townsend because she didn’t apologise for a lucky net cord, when one of the American’s shots clipped the tape and still went over. Her comments claiming Townsend had “no education” sparked accusations of racism, which she strongly denied.
At the time, Townsend said: “Whether it had racial undertones or not, that's something she can speak on.” Four-time Major winner Naomi Osaka reminded Ostapenko that her comments still weren’t appropriate.
“I think obviously it’s one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport,” Osaka said, though she noted that she doesn't "think that's the craziest thing” Ostapenko has said.
With Williams cheering her on, Townsend hopes to keep going in Flushing Meadows. She takes on two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday, and is also through to the third round of the doubles.
“I believe that there are defining moments. This event, this tournament, has been definitely one, for sure,” the doubles world No. 1 said on Saturday, reflecting on a dramatic week.
“You know, I'm proud that I haven't let anything on the outside deter me from my job at hand, which is playing my best tennis.”
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