Osaka calls out racial undertones in Ostapenko’s phrases, saying it’s “one of many worst issues” to say to a Black participant in a majority-white sport.

Naomi Osaka has spoken out on one of the vital controversial storylines of the 2025 U.S. Open. Thus, standing firmly behind fellow American Taylor Townsend after Jelena Ostapenko referred to as her “uneducated” following their second-round match. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, stated the remark carried racial undertones. Additionally, she stated it represented “one of many worst issues you possibly can say to a Black tennis participant in a majority-white sport.”

Her considerate response in a post-match press convention has ignited widespread debate throughout tennis and social media. Thus, elevating questions on intent, context, and the historical past of racially coded language within the sport.

The Match and the Remark

The controversy stems from Taylor Townsend’s decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jelena Ostapenko on August 28 in New York. Through the customary handshake on the internet, Ostapenko accused Townsend of missing “class” and “training.” The change gave the impression to be triggered by Townsend not apologizing after successful some extent on a internet wire. That’s an unwritten courtesy in tennis however not a proper rule.

Ostapenko later doubled down in an Instagram put up, saying: “If she performs in her homeland it doesn’t imply that she will be able to behave and do no matter she needs.” She insisted her feedback have been about sportsmanship and never race. Nonetheless, the phrasing of “no training” instantly raised purple flags for a lot of within the U.S.

For Townsend, a 28-year-old Black American participant who has typically spoken about breaking boundaries in tennis, the remarks carried further sting. She responded with humor on-court, quipping: “I beat her in Canada, exterior the U.S. I beat her in New York, exterior the U.S.,” a line that drew applause from followers.

Osaka’s Response

In her press convention, Osaka was requested immediately in regards to the controversy. She didn’t maintain again.

“I noticed that half clearly. It’s been on the TV each quarter-hour,” Osaka stated, selecting her phrases rigorously. “It’s one of many worst issues which you could say to a Black tennis participant in a majority white sport. And granted I do know Taylor and I understand how laborious she’s labored. I understand how sensible she is, so she’s the furthest factor from uneducated.”

Osaka added that the timing and goal of the comment solely made issues worse.

“I believe it’s in poor health timing and the worst individual you can have ever stated it to,” she continued. “And I don’t know if Ostapenko is aware of the historical past of it in America. However she’ll by no means say that once more in her life. It was simply horrible.”

Her feedback underscored the best way phrases that will appear innocuous to some can carry deep racial weight in sure cultural and historic contexts.

The Racial Undertones

Calling a Black individual “uneducated” in the US echoes centuries of systemic oppression, from slavery-era prohibitions on literacy to ongoing disparities in academic entry. Inside the world of tennis — a sport nonetheless dominated by white athletes and audiences — such language faucets into long-standing stereotypes about Black athletes being “classless” or “missing refinement.”

Serena and Venus Williams, for instance, confronted a long time of coded criticism, with detractors describing them as “aggressive” or “unsportsmanlike” in methods not often utilized to white gamers.

For Osaka, who’s each Haitian and Japanese and has publicly shared her experiences with racism, the context was unattainable to disregard. Her protection of Townsend was not nearly one match however in regards to the broader actuality Black athletes navigate in predominantly white sports activities.

Ostapenko’s Fame

It’s value noting that Jelena Ostapenko has a historical past of heated exchanges on courtroom. The 2017 French Open champion is understood for emotional outbursts directed at umpires, opponents, and even herself. Many defenders argue that her phrases to Townsend mirrored this fiery temperament somewhat than racial malice.

Aryna Sabalenka, one other prime participant, prompt that Ostapenko’s actions have been “emotional, not racist.” Nonetheless, Osaka’s level was that no matter intent, affect issues — and the historical past of language within the U.S. makes “uneducated” one of the vital loaded phrases doable on this context.

A Acquainted Sample in Tennis

This isn’t the primary time tennis has been pressured to confront questions of race and respect. Serena Williams’ notorious 2018 U.S. Open conflict with umpire Carlos Ramos noticed her referred to as “uncontrolled” and “hysterical,” labels many felt have been laced with gender and racial bias. Naomi Osaka herself has been criticized for her activism, with some followers questioning her dedication to Japan throughout the 2020 Olympics after she spoke about Black Lives Matter.

Townsend’s scenario continues this sample — a reminder that whereas tennis has change into extra numerous on the prime ranges, cultural divides stay.

Social Media Reactions

The fallout performed out in actual time on X (previously Twitter), the place followers debated fiercely.

Supporters of Osaka and Townsend emphasised the racial implications:

• “She’s proper. Tone deaf and solely the really uneducated can’t perceive why,” wrote one consumer.
• “The feedback are proving Naomi Osaka proper,” one other stated, pointing to defensive backlash on-line.

Others defended Ostapenko, insisting the problem was purely about etiquette:

• “Ostapenko didn’t lie. Taylor was rude. It has nothing to do with race.”
• “Not every little thing is a race subject!!!”

A smaller group went additional, accusing Osaka and Townsend of “enjoying the race card” — feedback that have been rapidly ratioed however underscored the persistence of racial denial in sports activities discourse.

The combined responses mirrored broader divides in how followers interpret intent versus affect, particularly throughout cultural traces.

Why Osaka’s Phrases Matter

Osaka’s intervention is important for a number of causes. First, as one of many sport’s most seen stars, her voice carries weight in shaping the narrative. Second, her private identification as a biracial athlete provides her a singular vantage level on how racial dynamics function in world tennis. And third, she framed her remarks not as an assault on Ostapenko personally however as a name for consciousness — mentioning that ignorance of America’s racial historical past doesn’t erase its affect.

Her protection of Townsend additionally supplied solidarity at a second when Black athletes typically face disproportionate scrutiny for a way they reply to provocation. Townsend herself selected humor and composure, whereas Osaka supplied the historic context many felt was lacking from the dialog.

Shifting Ahead

The U.S. Open has but to subject any formal touch upon the change, although officers have beforehand fined gamers for verbal abuse. Whether or not Ostapenko faces self-discipline stays to be seen. Extra broadly, the incident has sparked renewed requires tennis organizations to deal with cultural sensitivity and supply extra strong help for gamers navigating cross-cultural tensions.

As Osaka put it, Townsend’s intelligence, work ethic, and achievements communicate for themselves. No matter Ostapenko meant, the phrases landed in a method that touched a uncooked nerve — and Osaka’s willingness to say so out loud ensures the dialog gained’t be ignored.

Conclusion

Naomi Osaka’s protection of Taylor Townsend within the wake of Jelena Ostapenko’s “uneducated” comment has change into one of many defining off-court moments of the 2025 U.S. Open. It highlights how language, historical past, and race intersect in sports activities, shaping not simply particular person reputations however the broader tradition of competitors.

Whereas Ostapenko insists her feedback have been about etiquette, Osaka’s remarks remind the tennis world that affect typically outweighs intent — and that in a majority-white sport, phrases carry histories gamers can’t afford to dismiss.