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Naomi Osaka on Jelena Ostapenko’s Comments to Taylor Townsend: ‘One of the Worst Things You Can Say To A Black Tennis Player’

September 3, 2025

During a heated exchange following Taylor Townsend's victory at the US Open, Jelena Ostapenko told the American she had "no class" and "no education," sparking widespread reaction from tennis players. Naomi Osaka called the remarks among "the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport" while defending Townsend's character and intelligence. Ostapenko later explained on social media that her frustration stemmed from Townsend not apologizing after benefiting from a net cord during their match.

Who is affected

  • Taylor Townsend, the American tennis player who was the target of Ostapenko's comments
  • Jelena Ostapenko, the Latvian tennis player who made the controversial remarks
  • Black tennis players in general, as implied by Osaka's comments about racial dynamics
  • The broader tennis community witnessing and responding to the incident

What action is being taken

  • Tennis players like Naomi Osaka are publicly responding to and condemning Ostapenko's comments
  • World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has personally spoken with Ostapenko following the incident to help her "settle down"
  • The United States Tennis Association is citing medical reasons for Ostapenko's absence from press conferences after her first-round doubles loss
  • The incident is being repeatedly broadcast on television, as Osaka noted it's "been on the TV, like, every 15 minutes"

Why it matters

  • The comments have racial implications in what Osaka described as "a majority White sport," highlighting sensitive dynamics in tennis
  • The incident raises questions about sportsmanship standards and expectations in professional tennis, specifically regarding apologizing for net cords
  • It exposes different cultural understandings and expectations among international players, as Osaka questioned if Ostapenko "knows the history of it in America"
  • The situation reveals interpersonal tensions between players on the professional tour and how they manage conflicts publicly

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint