Tennis Clash at U.S. Open: Ostapenko vs. Townsend

Jelena Ostapenko issued an apology following a tense exchange with Taylor Townsend at the U.S. Open, which spurred a wider debate. Ostapenko, whose first language isn't English, faced backlash for comments perceived as lacking respect and possibly containing racial undertones.

The controversy arose after Townsend, a Black American player, defeated the 2017 French Open champion in a second-round match. Townsend revealed in an interview that Ostapenko accused her of lacking 'class' and 'education,' prompting questions about the racial implications of such remarks.

Naomi Osaka joined the conversation, emphasizing the importance of word choice when addressing Black players. Ostapenko expressed regret for her language, claiming her comments stemmed from tennis etiquette misunderstandings, and Townsend acknowledged the apology as a learning moment for her opponent.

(With inputs from agencies.)