Osaka and Gauff condemn Ostapenko s remarks towards Townsend

A heated on-court exchange between Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend at the US Open has sparked a strong reaction from some of the sport's biggest stars. After losing to the American 7-5, 6-1, Ostapenko confronted Townsend, telling her she had "no class" and "no education." The comments have since been widely condemned.

Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka was particularly forceful in her response, stating that the comments were "one of the worst things you could say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport."

"I don't know if she knows the history of it in America," Osaka said. "But I know she's never going to say that ever again in her life. It was just terrible."

American third seed Coco Gauff also weighed in, agreeing that Ostapenko was wrong to use those words. "I think it was a heat of the moment thing... But I do think that shouldn't have been said regardless of how you're feeling," Gauff stated. "Knowing Taylor personally, she's the opposite of that."

Townsend, for her part, said she did not take the comments as being racially motivated but noted the historical context. "That has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, when it's the furthest thing from the truth," she explained.

In an Instagram post, Ostapenko denied any racist intent. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she had spoken to Ostapenko to help her "settle down" and handle the situation in a more mature way.

The controversy highlights the growing platform of players like Osaka and Gauff who are unafraid to speak out on sensitive issues within the sport.