(AP) — U.S. Open opponents Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko got into a face-to-face argument on the Court 11 sideline right after Townsend won their second-round match 7-5, 6-1 on Wednesday.
Townsend, an American who is ranked No. 1 in doubles, said Ostapenko, a Latvian, who won the 2017 French Open, told her she has “no class” and “no education.”
A reporter asked Townsend, who is Black, whether she thought there were racial undertones to those comments.
“I didn’t take it in that way, but also, you know, that has been a stigma in our community of being ‘not educated’ and all of the things, when it’s the furthest thing from the truth,” Townsend responded.
“So whether it had racial undertones or not, that’s something she can speak on,” Townsend said. “The only thing that I’m worried about right now is continuing to move forward through this tournament.”
Ostapenko later posted on social media about “how many messages I received that I am a racist.”
“I was NEVER racist in my life, and I respect all nations of people in the world. For me it doesn’t matter where you come from,” she wrote.
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After the two players met at the net for a post-match handshake, they stayed near each other instead of going their separate ways, as usually happens. The 25th-seeded Ostapenko wagged a finger at Townsend as they spoke.
“It’s competition,” Townsend said. “People get upset when they lose.”
When they finally stopped talking, Townsend went over to the stands and egged on the partisan crowd, waving her arm overhead and the noise from spectators only grew louder.
She and Ostapenko have faced each other before in both singles and doubles.
“There’s never been any history. I don’t know how she feels about me, but there’s no beef on my side,” Townsend said. “She told me I have no education, no class, and to see what happens if we play each other outside of the U.S. I said, ‘I’m excited. Bring it.’ I’ve never been the one to back down from anything like that.”
Ostapenko went on social media to post what she called “Just a small update about the match.”
She wrote that Townsend was “disrespectful” for not saying “sorry” after being helped by a net cord during a point.
“There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow, and it was (the) first time ever that this happened to me on tour,” Ostapenko posted. “If she plays in her homeland, it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants.”
Ostapenko also complained that Townsend began warming up before the match up at the net, instead of back at the baseline. While most players do begin at the baseline, Townsend noted that she has started with volleying for years.
Ostapenko has gotten into kerfuffles with opponents during matches before, including in 2021 when she lost to Alja Tomljanovic at Wimbledon. Tomljanovic accused Ostapenko of lying about needing to leave the court for a medical timeout to address an abdominal issue.
Townsend recently moved to the top of the WTA doubles rankings. But this is her first time reaching the third round in singles at a Grand Slam tournament since 2023.
In singles, Townsend is No. 139. She is the lowest-ranked American woman to beat a past Grand Slam champion in singles at a major since Kristie Ahn defeated — guess who? — Ostapenko at the 2019 U.S. Open.
“The thing that I’m most proud of is that I let my racket talk. Because ultimately, I’m the one here, sitting in front of you guys, moving on to the next round, getting the next check, moving on, being able to still be here and speak to you guys, and that’s what’s most important,” Townsend said Wednesday. “She’s packed up and she’s gone.”
Fashion history is often made at the annual US Open, in the stands at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and on the court. The best outfits aren't limited to celebrity guests like Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Taylor Swift, though. The athletes, by design, are dressed to win.
The US Open's best on-court outfits are often custom-made by the likes of Nike, Lacoste, and New Balance. (This year, designers from Khaite to Miu Miu to Luar are also entering the arena.) Player dress codes for this tournament aren't quite as restrictive as events like Wimbledon (where players have to wear all-white). Instead, over the years, legends like Serena Williams, Sloane Stephens, and Naomi Osaka have assembled their tennis outfits with personal style at the fore: remixing classics like pleated skirts, diamond tennis bracelets, and chunky sneakers with customized details and Grand Slam-worthy flair.
The tournament is back for its 125th edition from now until September 7. And as players take to Arthur Ashe Stadium for their opening matches, they're also debuting some of their best tennis outfits to date. Read on for what players are wearing to take on their opponents—and win all the style awards. Each day of the competition, this post will be updated with even more serves from the 2025 US Open.
Naomi Osaka wearing custom Nike (and a matching Labubu)
Naomi Osaka was on fire in a custom Nike dress.
Naomi Osaka lit up the stadium to win her match against Greet Minnen of Belgium. On the court, she competed in a custom Nike tank dress with a layered bubble hem skirt and glittering rhinestones all over. The dress was perfectly coordinated with her sneakers and several crystalline roses in her hair. At a press conference afterward, she pulled on a matching jacket and debuted a custom Labubu in a similar look. "I'm glad that my first match was a night match, because this outfit was really fun to play," she told reporters, per ESPN. "This is my night outfit, so hopefully I'll wear my day outfit next time."
Coco Gauff is wearing New Balance
Coco Gauff won a nail-biting match in a fluorescent red and white set.
Coco Gauff started her US Open strong in a mix-and-match set by New Balance. She conquered her opponent with help from an open-back T-shirt and a micro pleated mini skirt—the better for running up and down the court to nab some incredible drop shots.
Venus Williams is wearing a custom Luar
Venus Williams warmed up in a custom Luar kit.
By August 21, there was a theme emerging in Venus Williams's US Open wardrobe: She's spotlighting New York City-based designers. Her warm-up kit for a preview featured a custom jacket, bag, and tennis dress by Luar. Founded by Raul Lopez, the brand has dressed celebrities from Beyoncé to Doja Cat—but it's never been on the US Open court until now.
Aryna Sabalenka wearing Nike
Aryna Sabalenka dominated the court in a cut-out Nike dress.
Aryna Sabalenka arrived at the US Open on August 25 for her first match dressed like the No.1 player in the world. Her dominant look started with a Nike white tennis dress, reinvented with triangular cut-outs at her waist. But the most eye-catching details were the three gold necklaces sitting in a perfect stack throughout her entire game.
Venus Williams is wearing custom Khaite and Lacoste
Venus Williams returned to the 2025 US Open for the mixed doubles' event in custom Khaite.
For her grand return to the 2025 US Open during the mixed doubles' qualifiers, Venus Williams helped a New York City designer make its on-court debut.
The legendary player and her stylist, Ronald Burton, collaborated with Khaite on a custom navy tennis dress with cap sleeves, an open back, and white lining along the hems. While her enviable dress was one-of-a-kind, her sneakers are immediately shoppable. She sourced Lacoste, the same brand behind her Met Gala look, for a pair of hardworking tennis shoes.
Taylor Townsend wearing TT
Taylor Townsend put her own label to the test while competing in the mixed doubles tournament.
Some athletes flex on the court while wearing bespoke tennis outfits from major athleticwear labels. Taylor Townsend is debuting her own collection, TT. She first competed in the mixed doubles tournament on August 19 in a long-sleeve white top and pleated skirt, each with her initial logo displayed front-and-center in green.
By the time she appears in the women's doubles, she'll wear a kit with pointed inspiration: the phoenix. "Every time that a phoenix is reborn, it has to burn itself to become new," she told the New York Times. "I’ve kind of been that throughout my career."
Coco Gauff and Alex Morgan, wearing New Balance and Nike
Coco Gauff and Alex Morgan teamed up for an exhibition match wearing their favorite brands.
What do you get when two powerhouses team up on the US Open exhibition court? Double the athletic prowess and double the tennis outfits. Soccer phenomenon Alex Morgan joined tennis legend Coco Gauff for an exhibition match on August 21, each bringing their favorite brands for support. Gauff decided on classic tennis whites by New Balance, with court-green accents. Morgan, meanwhile, tried a zip-up sleeveless polo jacket and pleated skirt emblazoned with Nike's classic swoosh.
Jessica Pegula tackled her doubles match in a tennis dress from an exciting collaboration.
Doubles matches are a collaboration, so it's only fitting Jessica Pegula wore one for her team-up with Jack Draper on August 20. She sourced the new Adidas x Y-3 tennis collection for a dress featuring a stark watercolor motif along the side of an otherwise pristine white canvas.
Naomi Osaka also played in mixed doubles' with chili pepper red Nike sneakers.
Naomi Osaka's turn at the 2025 US Open started with press appearances in head-to-toe Ferragamo for her self-titled documentary. It continued with her August 19 turn in the mixed doubles alongside Gael Monfils. She also lost her match, but her eye-popping Nike sneakers were a win in my book. They coordinated with her logo tee and her loose shorts—a lesson in two-step unexpected color combinations.
Knowing Osaka, she'll continue to bring out even more vibrant looks as the tournament rolls on. (Who else is hoping for a redo of her bow-covered look from last year?)
Taylor Townsend on the argument with Jelena Ostapenko at US Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 27, 2025
“It’s competition… people get upset when they lose. Some people say bad things. She told me I have no class & no education & to see what happens when we get outside the U.S.” 🥶 pic.twitter.com/tLgPDOznJY
"She told me I have no education, no class…Whether it had racial undertones…that's something she could speak on…I let my racket talk…She's packed up & gone, I'm here…I don't take any offense…I'm proud the way I handled myself "
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) August 28, 2025
– Taylor Townsend on beating Jelena Ostapenko pic.twitter.com/qcT1lS87JB
Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko got into an argument after their match at the U.S. Open 👀 pic.twitter.com/od0GwFykBd
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 27, 2025