Taylor Townsend said she is “back to business, 10 toes down” in an Instagram post celebrating her doubles win at the U.S. Open with partner Katerina Siniakova, as she drew a line under the racism storm surrounding Jelena Ostapenko following their clash.
Ostapenko had told Townsend on the court she had “no class” and “no education” in a dispute over a net ball after the Latvian lost in their second round singles match. Ostapenko denied the remarks were racially motivated after a backlash.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people about it,” Townsend said after her doubles win, ESPN reported.
“Honestly, people have come up to me, I haven’t enticed any sort of conversation, and everyone that I’ve spoken to, who saw anything, they obviously said that it was disrespectful.
“Even the mannerisms of her hand pointing at my face, like I’m a child, and just the things that she was saying.
“Everyone said that it was bad behavior. And it was also very hypocritical. She’s not known to have sportsmanship, doesn’t have the best code of conduct. So to try and call me out on something that you don’t even do yourself is crazy.
“I spoke to several players about it, but I’m not that kind of person to keep drama going. I’m very clear as to where I stand and how I feel about the situation.”
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka had told reporters that Ostapenko’s “no education” comment is “one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority white sport.”
This is a developing article. Updates to follow.
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