Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko were involved in one of the biggest talking points from the first week of the US Open.
Townsend and Ostapenko argued after their US Open match, which was won by the American.
After Ostapenko told the doubles world number one she had ‘no class’ and ‘no education’, Townsend has been flooded with support.
Despite the incident taking place nearly two weeks ago, people including Naomi Osaka are still talking about Townsend and Ostapenko’s dispute.
Taylor Townsend responds to Jelena Ostapenko’s apology
With Ostapenko receiving a lot of backlash for how she behaved at the US Open, the Latvian issued an apology on Instagram.
In this message, the former Roland Garros champion suggested that what she said to Townsend had been misunderstood due to English not being her first language.
After having some time to reflect on this apology, Townsend has now responded to Ostapenko when speaking to CBS Mornings.
While Townsend appeared to accept the apology, it appears that she was not convinced as to how sincere it was due to other things she has heard.
“The thing is I have compassion and understanding, I know and understand that it’s not her first language and I said this, I don’t think that she really understands the words that she said and what they mean to us and our culture and where we are in America,” said Townsend. “She doesn’t understand the magnitude of what those words mean and the weight behind them…
“…But, I mean it’s like there were things that transpired after the fact that it was just like, okay, like this may not be the most sincere, but as a human I’m just like, okay I understand and you give grace where grace is due. But then, like I said, I don’t tolerate disrespect. And especially when I treat you with respect and with sportsmanship and I’m honouring the game, don’t disrespect me.”
Taylor Townsend explains how she has changed since the US Open
Although this was the main talking point surrounding Townsend at the US Open this year, it was not the end of her tournament.
Townsend beat fifth seed Mirra Andreeva to reach the fourth round of the US Open for just the second time in her career, and she also had eight match points against Barbora Krejcikova before suffering a heartbreaking defeat.
The 29-year-old also reached the final of the women’s doubles event, and Townsend believes she is now viewed differently after her breakthrough run at the US Open this year.
“I think it changed me personally, because I felt like it was an opportunity for the world to see the work that I’ve been doing,” said Townsend. “You know, as athletes and in professional sports you see the end result, you see the outcomes of all the hours and all the things.
“But, I think the biggest way that it changed me was my self work got to be on display. The way that I’ve been working on myself and the person that I am and how I want to show up in the world, it was tested, but then it was also displayed.
“And just off the court it was just a ton more opportunities. There are a lot of people that have experienced me and who I am as a player and a person for the first time. They’re like, ‘Whoa, this is amazing. It’s so cool’. And so lots of opportunities, lots of decisions to make, but this is what I’ve been dreaming for.”
It is currently unclear as to where Townsend will next compete in singles, as the WTA Tour now heads to Asia.
Townsend is part of the USA squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, but is more likely just to be used for doubles.
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