Taylor Townsend’s outfit for her US Open second-round match towards No. 25 seed Jelena Ostapenko featured flames throughout the underside of her costume. Little did she know the match would flip lots fiery, with phrases spilling over after the 2 gamers shook palms following Townsend’s spectacular 7-5, 6-1 win.
This is the confrontation:
One other video of the change confirmed Townsend telling Ostapenko, “You’ll be able to learn to take a loss higher.”
And this is what Townsend advised ESPN in her post-match interview:
“Yeah, I imply, you understand, it is competitors,” Townsend mentioned. “Individuals get upset once they lose. Some folks say dangerous issues. She advised me I’ve no class, I’ve no training and to see what occurs after we get exterior the U.S. So I am wanting ahead to it. I imply, I beat her in Canada, exterior the U.S. I beat her in New York [inside] the U.S., so let’s have a look at what else she has to say.”
Ostapenko posted on her Instagram story after the match:
“Only a small replace in regards to the match,” she wrote. “At present after the match I advised my opponent she was very disrespectful as she had a web ball in a really deciding [moment] and did not say [sorry], however her reply was she does not must express regret in any respect. There are some guidelines in tennis which many of the gamers observe and it was first time ever that this occurred to me on tour. If she performs in her homeland it does not imply that she will be able to behave and do no matter she needs.
“To start with of the match all gamers are supposed to start out heat up on the baseline. The opponent got here out and immediately began the nice and cozy up at [the net] which could be very disrespectful and towards the principles of a tennis match.
“Due to all my followers to your help. I’ll come again stronger. Conditions like that inspire me to work even more durable.”
Ostapenko, who’s from Latvia, added to her story later.
“Wow what number of messages I obtained that I’m a racist. I used to be NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of individuals on the earth, for me it does not matter the place you come from. There are some guidelines in tennis and sadly when the gang is with you uou cannot use it in disrespectful method to your opponent. Sadly for me coming from such a small nation I haven’t got that vast help and an opportunity to play in homeland. I all the time liked to play within the US and US OPEN, however that is the primary time somebody is approaching the match this disrespectful manner.”
