Many from the tennis world, including Coco Gauff’s ex-coach, Brad Gilbert, and Andy Roddick, reacted to Jelena Ostapenko’s controversial feud with Taylor Townsend at the US Open. The Latvian’s behavior was labeled ‘hypocritical’ and ‘beyond pathetic.’
Tensions boiled over after Taylor Townsend, ranked No. 139 in singles, upset 25th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in the second round. At the net, Ostapenko accused Townsend of disrespect, criticizing her for not apologizing after a net-cord shot and skipping the customary warm-up.
Later, Townsend claimed that the Latvian told her she had “no class” and “no education.” The American dismissed any racial intent behind the comments, while acknowledging the stereotype. Ostapenko later defended her stance on social media, insisting her remarks were not racial.
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During his Quick Served podcast, Andy Roddick revealed his thoughts behind the controversy. He called Ostapenko a hypocrite for trying to "lecture" Townsend "about class."
"I like meltdowns. I melted down. So, I can't criticize someone for a meltdown, which is my point. Like, you try to not be like a complete hypocrite about things," Andy Roddick said (from 23:00).
"Ostapenko lecturing someone about class on a tennis court is like me lecturing someone about trying everything they can to stop losing their hair. Like, it literally is like heights of hypocrisy. That bothers me," he added.
Commenting under a video on X of Roddick sharing his views about the feud, Coco Gauff's ex-coach also slammed the Latvian WTA star.
"Ostapenko was beyond pathetic after the match, especially after having time think 🤔 about it on instagram, let alone she is the worst ever loser on the blow by handshakes after the match, just my 2 cents," he wrote.
Further, Townsend shared a carousel of images on Instagram from her famous win at the US Open. In the last slide, she shared an image from her feud with Ostapenko.
Several tennis personalities commented on the post, including Serena Williams' ex-coach, Stubbs, who wrote:
"Imagine Ostapenko telling anyone how to behave on a tennis court! 🧐🙄🙄🙄🤣👌🤦🏼♀️✋✋✋👋👋👋"
Frances Tiafoe's girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield, wrote:
"Last slide sent me"
Chris Eubanks added:
"Mannnnnn this gone be the last HBCU Day at the Open lol 😂"
What Taylor Townsend said about the controversial US Open incident with Jelena Ostapenko
Meanwhile, Taylor Townsend addressed the controversy after the match in her US Open press conference, stating that there was no 'beef' between her and Jelena Ostapenko despite what happened on Wednesday.
"She pulled out all the stops to try and break the momentum. And, you know, sometimes people do that, but it is what it is. You know, still is no beef. But again, like you guys saw, I didn't back down because you're not gonna insult me, especially after I carried myself a certain type of way with nothing but respect. And if I show respect to you, I expect respect as well," she said.
Addressing the claims that what Ostapenko said about her could be construed as 'racism,' Townsend stayed on the fence. The American maintained that while she did not take it that way, the Latvian's comments did touch a sensitive part of the criticism always aimed at the Black community.
"That's something that you're going to have to ask her. I didn't take it in that way. But also that has been a stigma in our community of being non educated and all the things when it's the furthest thing from the truth. And the thing that I'm the most proud of is that I let my racket talk," Taylor Townsend said.
Townsend will now play against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in the third round in New York.
