One of the most controversial moments of 2025 came at the US Open when Jelena Ostapenko faced Taylor Townsend in round two.
Taking place on one of the outside courts, very few had this one down as one that would be laced with drama, but that’s exactly how things panned out.
After a controversial match, Townsend suggested Ostapenko could possibly be banned, with the Latvian saying some unsavoury things to the American during the match.
The situation doesn’t arise too often when it comes to tennis, but what actually happened at the US Open?
What Jelena Ostapenko did to upset Taylor Townsend
During a 7-5, 6-1 win for Townsend, Ostapenko claimed that the American had ‘no education’ and ‘no class’, with tensions rising following the lack of an apology after a stroke of luck in the second set.
Ostapenko did apologise, but the argument rumbles on, with Naomi Osaka even weighing into the Townsend situation.
Townsend posted a spiky Instagram message after beating Ostapenko, and she eventually reached the fourth round before switching her focus back to doubles.
With the argument in the memory of tennis fans, Ostapenko could now be back on a collision course to meet Townsend again this weekend.
- READ MORE: Ben Shelton made Jelena Ostapenko claim
Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend could meet at the WTA Finals
With the controversy still fresh in the minds of everyone, the two players could meet again before the year is out at the WTA Finals.
Townsend is playing alongside Katerina Siniakova at this event, with the pair reaching the final of the US Open.
After winning their first two matches at the WTA Finals, they’re already through to the semifinals and will meet Wimbledon champions Veronika Kudermetsova and Elise Mertens.
Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei will compete in the other semifinal at the Riyadh event, with a rematch with Townsend likely to be on the cards if they prevail.
Ostapenko playing with her partner is a relatively new arrangement with Barbora Krejcikova, the player she teamed up with at the US Open.
For whatever reason, that pairing have gone their separate ways, but it doesn’t appear to have made an impact with the two enjoying some good displays so far.
With number one seeds Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani crashing out at the group stage, this now throws up an opportunity for another team.
Townsend and Siniakova are the second seeds, and perhaps they would have the advantage should Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei come through.
However, perhaps the talk won’t be centred around the tennis if that potential match-up becomes a reality…
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