Townsend: I don't expect her to apologize; what matters is letting my racket do the talking, and she has already gone home.

On the fourth day of the US Open, the biggest drama since the tournament began unfolded. American player Townsend and Latvian star Ostapenko engaged in a heated argument after their match, and their verbal exchanges continued off the court. As the conflict escalated, this incident drew significant attention from fans.

Reportedly, the dispute arose because Ostapenko accused Townsend of not apologizing after hitting a lucky net cord during the match, labeling her behavior as "uneducated." Additionally, Ostapenko was displeased that Townsend started her warm-up at the net with volleys instead of the baseline, calling this act "unsportsmanlike."

In response to Ostapenko's remarks, Townsend addressed the issue candidly in a post-match interview: "I don’t expect any apology; that’s how competitive sports are. Honestly, people have gotten a bit sensitive nowadays and like to blame others."

She admitted she dismissed Ostapenko’s criticism because everyone is entitled to their feelings, "The issue is that I don’t impose expectations. If you get upset that someone didn’t apologize, that’s your problem, not mine."

Regarding Ostapenko’s complaint about her warm-up routine, Townsend explained it was simply her usual habit. "Everyone knows this is my standard routine—from my junior days to every professional match. It’s not aimed at her or meant to disrupt her rhythm; it’s just my personal preparation," Townsend clarified.

She showed no concern for Ostapenko’s accusations, even finding her opponent’s pointless complaints "amusing and quite funny," reflecting a dismissive attitude toward the matter.

Facing Ostapenko’s personal attacks and various sarcastic comments on social media, Townsend chose the most professional response—letting her performance on the court speak for itself.

“I can’t explain why she acted this way; all I can say is how I handle such situations. When someone has already accepted defeat, and they call you rude or uneducated, I don’t take it personally because it’s far from the truth,” Townsend stated.

She openly embraced her victorious stance: "I’m proud that in the end, my racket did the talking. I’m the one sitting here giving interviews, advancing to the next round, and earning the next paycheck, while she has already packed up and gone home."

Regarding this sudden drama, tennis legend Evert commented on ESPN: "There have always been unwritten etiquette rules on the tennis court, but some players are clearly redefining what is acceptable and what is not."

On social media, fans expressed mixed opinions about the controversy. Some supported Townsend: "Support Townsend! Tennis isn’t a manners class; winning the match is what counts." Others disagreed: "Ostapenko is right! Tennis is a gentleman’s sport, and traditional etiquette must be upheld. Not apologizing after a lucky net ball shows poor sportsmanship."

A neutral view suggested: "Both players have valid points. Townsend has the right to stick to her routine, but Ostapenko also has the right to express her feelings. That’s sports—different perspectives make it exciting!"

Tennis veteran Mary Carillo commented: "These disputes will never disappear because sportsmanship means different things across cultures and players."

Townsend continues her US Open journey, while Ostapenko has "packed up and gone home," but perhaps the best resolution to this controversy is, as Townsend said, that ultimately the racket must do the talking.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)