Queens, NY— Taylor Townsend is making waves at the 2025 US Open, but not just for her on-court performance. Following an altercation with Jelena Ostapenko after their second-round match on Wednesday, the 29-year-old American has become one of the biggest stories of the tournament.
After defeating Ostapenko in straight sets, Townsend was involved in a heated exchange with the Latvian, who allegedly told her she had “no class” and “no education.” The verbal confrontation has captured attention, but Townsend is determined to turn it into a positive.
Townsend’s performance has certainly backed up the attention she’s garnered. On Friday night, she seized her moment in the spotlight, defeating fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-2 in front of a lively crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory was a huge achievement for Townsend, who entered the tournament without the star power of fellow Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula and wasn’t even seeded in singles.
Though she’s primarily known for being the world’s No. 1 women’s doubles player, Townsend’s singles success at the US Open has made her a surprise standout. Her powerful performance and the buzz surrounding the Ostapenko incident have elevated her profile, and she’s embracing it.
“If I can draw large crowds and bring people to the sport, then I’ll wear that crown proudly,” Townsend said after her victory. “Whatever attention it brings, if it gets people to come and watch tennis, then it’s doing the right thing. That’s what we need — bringing people in to support the game.”
The confrontation with Ostapenko has sparked widespread conversation, particularly about the dynamics in tennis. Townsend, who is Black, was asked if she believed Ostapenko’s comments had racial undertones. While she didn’t see the remarks in that light, she acknowledged the historical stereotypes often imposed on Black individuals in predominantly white spaces, including sports.
“This has been a stigma in our community — that we’re ‘uneducated’ and that we’re not capable,” Townsend said. “But that’s the furthest thing from the truth.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Townsend received support from many prominent figures, including fellow tennis stars Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka. Osaka, who is no stranger to advocating for racial equality in sports, commented on the situation, saying, “It’s one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority white sport.”
“It’s bigger than me,” said Osaka, after Townsend’s victory. “It’s about the message, the representation, and showing up as your true self.”
For Townsend, the incident, while uncomfortable, has been an opportunity to share her truth and amplify the voices of those often overlooked in tennis. “You guys saw the real Taylor Townsend tonight,” she added, a message of confidence and resilience in the face of adversity.
As the US Open continues, Townsend has proven she’s more than just a doubles champion. She’s a force in her own right, using her platform to shine a light on important issues and, in the process, winning fans over both on and off the court.
