Taylor Townsend Says 2025 US Open Run Is 'Bigger Than Me' After Upset of Andreeva

Taylor Townsend is not shying away from her moment in the spotlight after pulling off another upset win at the US Open, this time defeating No. 5 Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-2 on Friday night to reach the fourth round.

Speaking on the court after the match about her run in the tournament so far, Townsend called it "bigger than me" and what it means to be yourself no matter what.

Townsend's comments come after Jelena Ostapenko engaged her in an argument when they met at the net to shake hands after their second-round match on Tuesday.

Ostapenko wrote on social media after the encounter she was upset when Townsend hit a net cord at one point late in the match and didn't apologize for it, calling the American "very disrespectful."

Townsend told ESPN's Kris Budden that Ostapenko said she has "no class," "no education and to see what happens when we get outside the U.S." Townsend went on to say she "didn't take it in that way" when asked if there were any racist undertones to Ostapenko's comments, but there is "a stigma in our community of being 'not educated' and all of the things, when it's the furthest thing from the truth."

After her win over Mirra Andreeva, Townsend said she has received support from other players and appreciated the "external validation that I handled things the right way and that's what I'm the most proud of and the most happy with."

The 29-year-old Townsend is primarily known as being one of the best doubles players in the world, having won the Australian Open with Kateřina Siniaková in January.

Townsend's march to the fourth round of the US Open as a singles competitor ties her best run at a Grand Slam tournament. She previously reached the fourth round at the 2019 US Open.

Next up for Townsend will be a showdown with Barbora Krejčíková on Sunday.