Tennis Tensions: Townsend's Clash with Ostapenko at U.S. Open

In a dramatic turn of events at the U.S. Open, tennis stars Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko found themselves at the center of controversy. The post-match exchange between the two players on Wednesday became a hot topic as Ostapenko skipped the news conference citing 'medical reasons.'

The controversy arose after Townsend defeated Ostapenko in singles. Ostapenko accused Townsend of disrespect following their match, reportedly calling her 'uneducated' during an argument at the net. Townsend, who emphasized the episode's disrespectful nature, dismissed Ostapenko's critiques as hypocritical.

The incident sparked a broader conversation about sportsmanship and potential racial undertones in tennis, with players like Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff voicing their support for Townsend. Ostapenko later denied any racial intent behind her remarks on social media.

(With inputs from agencies.)