Taylor Townsend stated she gained assist from fellow gamers after Wednesday’s on-court spat with Jelena Ostapenko on the US Open when the Latvian accused her of being “disrespectful” and “uneducated.”
The American on Thursday stated he had by no means heard of it from Ostapenko since his second singles battle. This ended with Ostapenko, a black man, not apologizing for the netcode, utilizing shaming phrases, and questioning his intelligence and persona.
World No. 1 in doubles, Townsend met with the media after a first-round doubles victory towards associate Katerina Sirkova on Thursday. In the meantime, Ostapenko, who misplaced a first-round doubles match towards associate Barbora Krejcikova on Thursday, skipped her press convention citing “medical causes.”
“I instructed lots of people about it,” Townsend stated. “To be trustworthy, individuals have come close to me, I am not having any type of dialog and anybody I spoke to, anybody who noticed something, they clearly stated it was disrespectful.
“Everybody stated it was a nasty habits, and it was additionally very hypocritical. She’s not recognized to have sportsmanship, she would not have the most effective code of conduct, so it is loopy to ask me to not even do this. I instructed some gamers about it.
Townsend reiterated that she felt she “dealt with the state of affairs very elegantly.”
“I am actually happy with the way in which I dealt with it,” she stated. “I did not permit conditions to take me out of my persona or lose my integrity as an individual. That is what actually issues. I get a lot love and assist from so many individuals.
A number of different main gamers, together with Naomi Osaka, supported Townsend on Thursday.
“Clearly, that is one of many worst issues you’ll be able to say to a black tennis participant in a majority of White Sports activities,” stated Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion from Haiti and whose mom is from Japan. “And I do know Taylor, and I understand how arduous she works, and I understand how sensible she is, so she’s not educated or the farthest from one thing like that.”
Osaka stated that replays of the Ostapenko-Townsend battle “we seem on tv each quarter-hour.”
Ostapenko has beforehand grow to be a kerfuffles together with his enemies.
“I do not suppose that is the craziest factor she’s stated, I will be trustworthy,” Osaka stated. “I believe it is the unhealthy timing and the worst individual you have ever stated. And I do not know if (Ostapenko) is aware of the historical past of it in America, however she’s not going to say it once more in her life.
“…it was simply horrible. That is actually unhealthy.”
Townsend was requested Wednesday if he thought there was a racial undertone in Ostapenko’s feedback.
“I did not do this, however it was the stigma of the neighborhood of “uneducated” and when it was the farthest from the reality, it was the stigma of our neighborhood,” Townsend replied.
“So, whether or not it had a racial undertone or not, that is one thing she will be able to discuss. The one factor I am fearful about proper now could be that we’re persevering with to maneuver ahead with this match.”
“It is okay to face up for your self. It is okay to face up and name out individuals for the bull. I am sorry. Typically it looks like society, particularly individuals of colour. You are anticipated to be silent.
Taylor Townsend
Ostapenko posted on social media on Wednesday that she obtained a message saying, “I am racist.”
“I’ve by no means been a racist in my life and I respect everybody on this planet,” Ostapenko posted. “It would not matter the place you got here from for me.”
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka spoke to Ostapenko after the match and stated she “handled her.”
“I’ve to say she’s good,” Sabalenka started. “She will be able to generally lose management. She faces some issues in life and has a wrestle. …I believe she will be able to generally lose management over her feelings.
“I actually hope that in the future she is going to perceive herself and that she is going to deal with it higher.”
Townsend stated he felt the love of the New York crowd. The New York crowd flocked to the grandstand courtroom to see the doubles match together with Senior Koba.
“I do not suppose many individuals have seen the primary spherical double of my life,” Townsend stated. “It is thrilling and I believe it is going to take us additional into the match.”
Townsend stated he wasn’t on the lookout for “exterior verification,” however wished to point out those who “it is okay to not be permitted by your self.”
“It is okay to face up for your self,” Townsend stated. “It is okay to face up and name out individuals for the bull. Sorry, however generally we’re anticipated to be silent as a result of we really feel like society, particularly individuals of colour.
“It is vital to talk not just for your self however in your tradition in all these moments. And, as I stated on the press convention yesterday, I carry it and I take it very severely.
