Jelena Ostapenko Apologizes After Post-Match Spat with Taylor Townsend

Jelena Ostapenko is apologizing for the remarks she made towards Taylor Townsend at the US Open.

In a post on her Instagram Stories on Saturday, Aug. 30, the Latvian tennis player, 28, addressed the criticism she received after appearing to tell Townsend, 29, that she has “no class” and “no education” during their heated confrontation at the tennis tournament.

“I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match,” Ostapenko wrote. “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,” the tennis player concluded.

Ostapenko and Townsend were seen in a fiery exchange on the court following their second-round match at the US Open on Aug. 27.

Despite having shaken hands following Townsend’s 7-5 6-1 win, the situation became tense as Ostapenko, 28, told Townsend that she should apologize for a shot that clipped the top of the net but stayed in play, which is known as a net cord, according to The Athletic.

In footage shared by ESPN, Townsend appeared to say, “No, I don’t have to say sorry” and the pair continued to exchange heated words as Ostapenko pointed her finger at Townsend. Ostapenko then appeared to tell Townsend, “You have no education,” repeatedly as Townsend told her to “take the L [loss].”

Ostapenko’s apology comes after she previously defended her comments made towards Townsend in an earlier post, stating that Townsend was “very disrespectful” and she accused her of not following tennis rules.

“Her answer was that she doesn’t have to say sorry at all,” Ostapenko wrote on her Instagram Stories. “There are some rules of tennis which most of the players follow and it was first time ever that this happened to me on tour. If she plays in her homeland it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants.”

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Townsend also called out Ostapenko for being “disrespectful” following the argument.

“I’ve gotten so much love and support from so many people,” she told reporters on Thursday, Aug. 28. “…Everyone that I’ve spoken to, who saw anything, they obviously said that it was disrespectful. Even the mannerisms of her hand pointing at my face, like I’m a child, and just the things that she was saying.”

“I’m really proud of the way that I handled it. I didn’t allow the situation to take me out of my character or to lose my integrity as a person,” added Townsend.