Emotional US Open ace reacts after rival says she has 'no class and education' in ugly row

Taylor Townsend claimed her four-year-old son would be proud of her dignified reaction after Jelena Ostapenko told the American she had "no class" and "no education".

The Latvian made the jibes in an extraordinary post-match row after their US Open clash - and then took to social media to insist that she is not racist.

The American world doubles No.1 beat the Latvian 7-6 6-1 in a feisty clash on Court 11. But as they approached the net, the 2017 French Open champion started an argument and angrily pointed her finger at Townsend.

The American, 29, then walked away and started whipping up the crowd in her support as Ostapenko was booed off. In a courtside interview, the American told ESPN: "It is a competition. People get upset when they lose. Some people say bad things.

"She told me that I have no class, I have no education and to see what happens when we get outside the US. I am looking forward to it. I beat her in Canada outside the US. Let's see what else she has to say."

In her post-match press conference, Townsend fought back tears in her moving reply when she was asked if Ostapenko's accusations had "racist overtones".

The American, who has a four-year-old son Adyn Aubrey, said: "I can't speak on what her intentions were. I can only speak on how I handled the situation, and how I handled it is someone who is upset about the outcome that occurred. You lost, and you're upset about that.

"Saying I have no education and no class, I don't really take that personally, because I know that it's so far from the truth and so far from anything. Again, if I allow what other people have to say about me affect me in that way, then they win. So ultimately, no.

"I stood up for myself, and I kept in my mind in that moment how I wanted to portray myself and how I wanted to show up, and if my son were to see this interaction: 'How would he view it?' I think he would be proud of the way that I handled the situation.

"I'm very strong. I'm very proud as a Black woman being out here representing myself and representing us and our culture. I make sure that I do everything that I can to be the best representation possible every time that I step on the court and even off the court.

"You know that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated and all of the things when it's the furthest thing from the truth.

"The thing that I'm the most proud of is that I let my racquet talk. Because ultimately, I'm the one here sitting in front of you guys moving on to the next round, getting the next cheque, moving on, being able to still be here and speak to you guys, and that's what's the most important. She's packed up and she's gone. I'm here, and that's the only thing that matters.

"So whether it had racial undertones or not, that's something she can speak on. I don't take any offense to it, but I'm really proud of the way that I handled myself. More than anything, if my son sees that, I know that he'll be proud of me as well, and that's what matters the most.

Ostapenko later posted on social media about "how many messages I received that I am a racist."

She wrote: "I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world. For me it doesn't matter where you come from."

She added that Townsend was "disrespectful" for not saying "sorry" after a net cord and complained that the doubles specialist started warming up before the match at the net instead of on the baseline.

Ostapenko is no stranger to controversy. At Wimbledon in 2021, Alja Tomljanovic accused her of lying about needing to leave the court for a medical timeout during their match.

And at the 2024 Brisbane International, Ostapenko told umpire Julie Kjendlie "you are blind" and called for her to be barred from officiating any of her future matches after a disputed call.