‘She told me I have no class, I have no education’: Taylor Townsend details heated Ostapenko exchange at US Open

Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko were embroiled in a heated confrontation following their second-round match at the US Open 2025 on Wednesday. The altercation ensued when the two came to the net for a handshake after Townsend had secured a 7-5, 6-1 victory over the Latvian.

Still riding the adrenaline from both her victory and the heated exchange, Townsend was visibly energised during her post-match celebration.

Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko got in a heated interaction after their second round match at the US Open.

Townsend is on to the third round. pic.twitter.com/cOIYzoyfmG

— ESPN (@espn) August 27, 2025

Taylor Townsend reveals what Jelena Ostapenko said to her

When she took the microphone, she didn’t hold back, revealing exactly what Ostapenko had said during their fiery confrontation.

Taylor Townsend on the argument with Jelena Ostapenko at US Open

“It’s competition… people get upset when they lose. Some people say bad things. She told me I have no class & no education & to see what happens when we get outside the U.S.” 🥶 pic.twitter.com/tLgPDOznJY

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 27, 2025

“She told me I have no class, I have no education, and to see what happens when we get outside the US,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to it. I beat her in Canada outside the US. So let’s see what else she has to say.”

She went on to add: “I mean, it’s competition. People get upset when they lose. When she was playing well, I didn’t say anything. That just shows class.”

The bone of contention was a net cord shot that dropped in Townsend’s favour. Ostapenko believed she deserved an apology for the lucky point, and when none came, she confronted Townsend at the net, escalating the situation.

Later, Ostapenko took to social media to defend her comments, criticising Townsend for not following the unwritten rule of the game. She also stressed that home advantage does not give anyone the right to showcase poor sportsmanship

“Just a small update about the match,” she wrote on Instagram. “Today after the match I told my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding moment and didn’t say sorry, but her answer was that she doesn’t have to say sorry at all.

“There are some rules in tennis that most of the players follow and it was first time 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.”