No respect - Ostapenko and Townsend in US Open row

Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend exchanged words after their handshake at the end of the match

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

American player Taylor Townsend said former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko told her she had "no class" and "no education" in a heated US Open row.

Tension between the pair escalated after a net cord went in Townsends favour during a 7-5 6-1 second-round win - and 25th seed Ostapenko accused her of not apologising.

The pair had a curt handshake after Townsend clinched victory before Latvian Ostapenko made a comment at the net.

Both players continued to express their views in an animated argument at Ostapenkos chair.

Asked what happened at the net, Townsend said: "She told me I have no education, no class, and to see what happens if we play each other outside of the US.

"I said, Im excited, bring it on."

On-court microphones picked up 29-year-old Townsend telling Ostapenko to "take the L [loss]".

Townsend, the world number one doubles player, then whipped the crowd into a frenzy by celebrating with them wildly.

Boos rang around Court 11 as Ostapenko departed.

"Theres no beef," added Townsend.

"But I didnt back down because youre not going to insult me, especially after I carried myself a certain type of way, with nothing but respect.

"If I show respect to you, I expect respect as well. Thats just the fact of the matter."

Ostapenko, 28, is well-known for allowing her frustrations to spill over and has previously received fines for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Afterwards, she posted a message on Instagram accusing Townsend of being "very disrespectful".

"I told my opponent she didnt say sorry, but her answer was that she doesnt have to say sorry at all," Ostapenko, who won the Roland Garros title in 2018, wrote.

"There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was the first time ever that this has happened to me on tour.

"If she plays in her homeland it doesnt mean she can behave and do whatever she wants."

Townsend said she did not expect to receive an apology from Ostapenko.

"Saying I have no education and no class, I dont really take that personally, because I know that its so far from the truth," Townsend said.

"If I allow what other people have to say about me to affect me in that way, then they win."

Townsend, an African-American, was also asked if she thought there was a racial undertone to Ostapenkos comments.

"I didnt take it in that way," Townsend said.

"But also that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, and all of the things, when its the furthest thing from the truth.

"Whether it had racial undertones or not, thats something she can speak on."

Ostapenko posted again on Instagram later on Wednesday to deny her comments had a racial element.

"I was never racist in my life," she wrote. "I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesnt matter where you come from."