Jelena Ostapenko Apologizes for Comments to Taylor Townsend After Viral US Open Video

After Taylor Townsend defeated Jeļena Ostapenko in straight sets during their second-round matchup at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, the Latvian was heard on video telling her American counterpart that she had "no class" and "no education."

On Saturday, Ostapenko issued an apology for those comments:

"Hi all—I wanted to apologize for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match" she wrote. "English is not my native language, so when I said education, I was speaking only about what I believe as tennis etiquette, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court. I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a tennis player. Goodbye New York and I look forward to being back next year."

Ostapenko said she believed it was poor tennis etiquette that Townsend didn't put her hand up and say sorry after winning a point on a lucky net cord shot, long one of quirky and unwritten courtesies in tennis.

"There's never been any history—I don't know how she feels about me, but there's no beef on my side," Townsend told reporters after the match. "She told me I have no education, no class, and to see what happens if we play each other outside of the U.S. I said, 'I'm excited. Bring it.' I've never been the one to back down from anything like that."

She was also asked if she believed there were racial undertones to the comments.

"I didn't take it in that way, but also, 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," she replied. "So whether it had racial undertones or not, that's something she can speak on. The only thing that I'm worried about right now is continuing to move forward through this tournament."

Naomi Osaka was also asked for her thoughts on the matter.

"I think obviously it's one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority white sport," she told reporters. "And granted, I know Taylor and I know how hard she's worked and I know how smart she is, so she's the furthest thing from uneducated or anything like that. But if you're like genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don't think that's the craziest thing she's said. I'm going to be honest. I think it's ill timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to. And I don't know if she knows the history of it in America. But I know she's never going to say that ever again in her life. But, yeah, I mean, it was just terrible. Like, that's just really bad."

Townsend hasn't let the matter affect her U.S. Open play. She'll face Barbora Krejčíková in the Round of 16 on Sunday after defeating 5-seed Mirra Andreeva in the third round on Friday.