Ostapenko no education comments terrible - Osaka

US Open 2025

Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website & app

Former world number one Naomi Osaka says that Jelena Ostapenko telling Taylor Townsend she had "no class" and "no education" was "one of the worst things you could say to a black tennis player".

Latvias Ostapenko argued with Townsend after the American beat her 7-5 6-1 in the US Open second round on Wednesday.

Ostapenko, who claimed Townsend had not apologised after a net cord landed in her favour, has been criticised for her comments.

Townsend, an African-American, said she did not think there was a racial undertone to Ostapenkos comments, adding: "I didnt take it in that way, but also that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, when its the furthest thing from the truth."

Ostapenko, who won the French Open in 2017, denied any element of racism in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

Asked about the incident, Japans four-time major champion Osaka said: "I think its ill timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to.

"I dont know if she knows the history of it in America. But I know shes never going to say that ever again in her life. It was just terrible.

"I think obviously its one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport.

"I know Taylor and I know how hard shes worked and I know how smart she is, so shes the furthest thing from uneducated or anything like that."

American third seed Coco Gauff, who has regularly used her platform to speak out against racism, said Ostapenko was wrong to use those words about Townsend.

"I think it was a heat of the moment thing. I think Jelena was probably feeling emotions after she lost," added 21-year-old Gauff.

"I do think that shouldnt have been said regardless of how youre feeling, especially given those were the reasons that she stated.

"Knowing Taylor personally, shes the opposite of that."

Ostapenko lost in the womens doubles on Thursday but did not fulfil her media duties afterwards, with organisers citing illness.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka, speaking after her victory on Wednesday night, said she had spoken to Ostapenko to "help her face it more in a mature way".

Sabalenka said: "She just sometimes can lose control. She has some things in life to face and some struggles.

"I was just trying to help her to settle down and just was someone she could speak to and just let it go.

"I really hope that one day she will figure herself and she will handle it much better. Im pretty sure, looking back, shes not happy with her behaviour."