Naomi Osaka Defends Taylor Townsend Amid US Open Racism Debate

Photo:AFP

At the US Open, a second-round tennis match between American player Taylor Townsend and Latvian star Jelena Ostapenko turned tense, not just on the court but also after the match ended. The incident has now sparked a larger debate in the tennis world about respect, race, and choice of words.

Townsend, who is Black, defeated 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1. The match itself was competitive, with both players fighting for every point. But the real drama began at the net after match point was over.

As the players met for the traditional handshake, they ended up arguing instead. Ostapenko wagged her finger at Townsend repeatedly and expressed her anger. Townsend later explained that during their verbal exchange, some of Ostapenko’s words hurt deeply. She hinted that there could have been “racial undertones” in the remarks and left it to Ostapenko to answer for them.

The controversy grew stronger when reports emerged that Ostapenko had used words like “no class” and “no education” toward Townsend. Many in the tennis world considered these words especially offensive when directed at a Black athlete competing in a sport where most players are white.

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Ostapenko later explained her side of the story on social media. She said her anger came from a point during the match when Townsend won after the ball clipped the net cord and dropped over. In tennis, players often raise their hand or say “sorry” as a gesture of respect when that happens, but Townsend didn’t. Ostapenko saw that as “disrespectful” and said it made her upset. However, she strongly denied ever being racist.

Still, her choice of words did not go unnoticed. Former world number one Naomi Osaka, who has always spoken out against racial injustice, openly criticized the language Ostapenko used. Osaka said:

“It’s one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority-white sport.”

Osaka, who is of Japanese and Haitian heritage, added that Townsend is hardworking, intelligent, and far from the stereotypes implied by those words. She reminded people that she had used her platform during the 2020 US Open to highlight racial inequality by wearing masks bearing the names of Black victims of violence.

She continued with a smile, saying that this was not the first time Ostapenko had said something questionable, but added:

“It was the wrong timing and the worst person to say it to. I know she’ll never say it again. But it was terrible.”

Another voice of support came from American tennis star Coco Gauff, who is also known for speaking about social issues. Gauff admitted that Ostapenko was probably very emotional after losing, but stressed that the words should not have been spoken, no matter the situation.

Gauff also praised Townsend, calling her one of the kindest people she knows. She reminded fans that Townsend is not just a tennis player but also a mother, a friend, and a role model. She hoped people would look beyond the controversy and appreciate who Townsend really is.

This episode has turned into more than just a post-match argument. It has opened a conversation about respect in tennis, the importance of words, and how racial undertones—intentional or not—can hurt athletes. For many, it also highlights the emotional pressure players feel in high-stakes tournaments like the US Open.

With Osaka and Gauff both speaking up, the story has gained global attention. Fans are now waiting to see how the tennis community will address such issues going forward, especially as the sport works to become more inclusive and diverse.