Taylor Townsend says Jelena Ostapenko didn't reach out to personally apologize and also reveals that she didn't hear about the Latvian's apology until being told by the media.
On Saturday evening, New York time, Ostapenko posted a message on her Instagram, where she addressed the ugly incident that happened days earlier. In the message, the former fifth-ranked WTA player said she was wrong and also insisted that her "no education" comment directed at Townsend came out the way she didn't want.
"I wanted to apologize 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," Ostapenko wrote.
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Townsend reacts to Ostapenko's apology
On Saturday, Townsend was in action as she and Katerina Siniakova defeated Alycia Parks and Dayana Yastremska 6-3 6-3 to safely progress into the US Open women's doubles round-of-16. Later, in her press, the American tennis player was asked whether Ostapenko privately contacted her and if she saw the message uploaded by the Latvian.
"No, that's why I was, like, y'all have news for me. So I was hoping someone would tell me. No, I didn't know that. I mean, the fact of the matter is, like I said the other day, I'm still playing. So I don't have time to be tapped in on what she's got going on and what she says," the 26-year-old answered.
After beating Ostapenko, Townsend followed it with an even bigger win after stunning No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva. As a reward, she will get a crack at 2024 Wimbledon champion in the US Open round-of-16. The match is scheduled for Sunday and it will be another great opportunity for the American to clinch a big win at this year's final Grand Slam of the year.
