Jelena Ostapenko apologises for US Open row as Taylor Townsend reacts

Jelena Ostapenko has issued an apology for her explosive remarks directed at Taylor Townsend during the US Open. The Latvian star erupted in fury following her second-round defeat to Townsend at Flushing Meadows, repeatedly jabbing her finger in the American's face whilst claiming she had "no education" and "no class".

Ostapenko's rage stemmed from Townsend's failure to apologise for a net cord, but her choice of words sparked accusations of racism, with Naomi Osaka declaring the education remark was "one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport". Initially refusing to face the press, Ostapenko rejected claims of racism on social media whilst standing by her actions.

However, in a subsequent Instagram statement addressing her conduct, she penned: "I wanted to apologise for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match.

"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."

Following a doubles victory on Saturday, Townsend disclosed that she had not received a personal apology from Ostapenko, but appreciated the public one.

"That's nice that she did that, that she apologised," Townsend commented. "That's fine. That's cool. At the end of the day, I think that it's a learning lesson for her.

"Like I said when everything first happened, you cannot push your expectations on other people. That's ultimately what happened. She expected for me to react a certain type of way, and I didn't, and it infuriated her.

"Which led her to say things that are hurtful, that are belligerent, that are offensive, not only to me, but to the sport and to a whole culture of people that I try to do my best to represent the best that I can.

"I really hope from this she can take that, hey, you can't control people and it's better just to focus on yourself."

Townsend has emerged as arguably the standout story of the opening week, channelling the controversy as motivation for her stunning third-round triumph over fifth seed Mirra Andreeva.

"I'm really just proud that I kept the main thing the main thing," declared the 29-year-old. "I want to say thank you to everyone who supported me over these last 48 hours. It's bigger than me. It's about the message, it's about the representation, it's about being bold and being able to show up as yourself, and I did that tonight."