Jelna Ostapaneko Three days after telling American, apologizing on social media on Saturday Taylor Townsand it was “No class” and “no education” After his second round match at the US Open.
The townsand, which is black, and Ostapenco, who belongs to Latvia, had an intense front and back on Wednesday after the Townsand won in straight sets. After his match, Townsend said that Ostapenko bounted him for not apologizing for a net cord and then used derogatory language and questioned the Townsand’s intelligence and character.
Ostapenko’s words gave rise to racism allegations, along with Coco goff And Naomi Osaka Among those who publicly Came to protect the townsandOsaka said that Townsend told Ostapenko saying that “One of the worst things can you say to a black tennis player in the majority white game.”
Ostapaneko Written on her Instagram story Saturday, “I wanted to apologize for some things I said during my second round singles match. English is not my native language, so when I said that education I only consider as tennis etiquette, but I think the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court.
“I appreciate the support because I continue to learn and develop as a person and a tennis player. Goodbye New York and I am eager to come back next year.”
The townsend was asked from Wednesday to whether he thought he was a racial venture for the comments of Ostapenko and said “he did not take it in this way,” but admitted, “It was ‘not educated’ in our community and a stigma of everything, when it is the farthest thing from the truth.”
Townsand, who harasses number 5 seeds Mirra Andreva on Friday night Reach the US Open round of 16 For the first time since 2019, he said Get countless messages of support Standing from friends and players and for its values.
“Sometimes, I think in society, especially the people of color, are expected to silence us, or sometimes there are times where we have to decide and when we speak, and have to be very strategic in such moments, then it is important for me that I am important not only for myself but also for my first round along with my first round as well as my first round, as well as my first round.” Caterina Siniakova“No matter what it does not matter what attention comes or whatever it is, I think it is about it being unexpectedly, be happy about who you are and never allow anyone to get you out of your character and who you are as a person.”
On Thursday, Townsend said that he had not heard from Ostapenko since his match. It is not known whether he has communicated since then.
