The US Open is notorious for bringing drama to tennis, with the atmosphere cultivated in New York enough to get under the skin of most players.
And, when facing an American on these home courts, that intensity only increases further.
Some naturally wilt under this pressure, whilst others thrive.
However, there are a select few who turn to frustration, with Jelena Ostapenko clearly one individual who has been adversely affected by the various conditions that transpired in her US Open second-round match vs Taylor Townsend.
Losing in straight sets, her anger boiled over at the net as she engaged in a heated discussion with the American.
The Latvian has now taken to Instagram to justify her outburst.
Jelena Ostapenko justifies US Open clash with Taylor Townsend
After the two had shaken hands, it was Ostapenko who sparked this row as she exchanged words with Townsend, telling her how she felt.
We have since learned that she branded her opponent ‘very disrespectful’, but until now it was unclear why.
Ostapenko has since taken to Instagram, posting a story explaining herself.
In what she branded a ‘small update’, she spoke at length, first outlining her initial grievance with Townsend’s failure to apologise for a fortunate net cord.
She wrote: “If she plays in her homeland it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants.”
Ostapenko then continued, revealing a new frustration regarding her opponent’s conduct in the warm-up.
It was Townsend who got the last laugh though, whipping the crowd into a frenzy as she pointed at the 28-year-old, goading her.
The last year has been outstanding for the doubles specialist, and this will not detract from that. In fact, Townsend even knocked Venus Williams out of the Washington doubles just last month, in a moment that would live long in the memory of any American.
Taylor Townsend gives her version of events after Jelena Ostapenko argument
Townsend was keen to offer her thoughts on the disagreement in the immediate aftermath, as she gave her on-court interview.
The top-ranked doubles player in the world claimed: “People get upset when they lose. Some people say bad things.
“She told me, You have no class, you have no education, and to wait until we’re outside of the U.S. I’m looking forward to it. I beat her in Canada outside the U.S. So let’s see what else she says.”
Although it’s never nice to see animosity between players, the drama it creates is undeniable.
It’s completely on brand for the US Open to be the stage for such controversy, as the crowd delighted in watching one of their home favourites get the better of Ostapenko and take the high ground in this argument.
