Jelena Ostapenko criticized again as former top 20 player speaks up in defence of Taylor Townsend

Taylor Townsend’s meeting at the net with Jelena Ostapenko continues to spark debate across the tennis world, with both fans and players having their say on the situation.

In the second round at Flushing Meadows, Ostapenko confronted Townsend after the match to complain about the American refusing to apologise after she won a point via a net cord.

The former French Open champion later said her opponent had ‘no class’ and no education; comments which ATP star Ben Shelton called ‘shocking’.

WTA number one Aryna Sabalenka weighed in, stating that Ostapenko needs to ‘control her emotions better’, as well as 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick, who said her behaviour ‘bothered’ him.

Two days after their clash, the Latvian is still receiving criticism for her comments from fellow players, including a former top 20 star who recently gave her thoughts.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Jelena Ostapenko criticised for her behaviour once again

In an episode of ‘The Tennis Mini’ on the Australian Open YouTube channel, former Billie Jean King Cup finalist Daria Saville came to the defence of Townsend.

When asked what she thought of the disagreement between the two, Saville responded: “I wasn’t too thrilled.

“You probably would not want to do it in the US. I would hope to be smarter than that,” she said of the former French Open champion.

“Knowing Taylor, she is such a sweet girl. I don’t know where Ostapenko was going with it. She did not do herself any favours.”

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Jelena Ostapenko’s struggles at Grand Slam events this year

Perhaps some of Ostapenko’s frustrations stemmed from her ongoing struggles at Grand Slam events, with her US Open defeat marking another early exit in 2025.

At the Australian Open, she crashed out in the first round after suffering defeat to Belinda Bencic in straight sets.

Grand Slam Result Australian Open First Round Roland Garros Third Round Wimbledon First Round US Open Second Round Jelena Ostapenko’s results in singles at Grand Slams this year

Then, at Roland Garros, Ostapenko made it to round three before falling to former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

Her campaign at the All England Club also came to an abrupt end in the opening round when she lost to Britain’s Sonay Kartal.

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