As we draw ever closer to the dramatic conclusion of the US Open, there is one saga from the event that seemingly refuses to die down.
After all, Jelena Ostapenko’s comments about Taylor Townsend were so controversial and dominated the headlines for days after.
There were accusations and apologies, and seemingly everyone gave their opinion on such a sour moment from the tournament.
However, Martina Navratilova has waited until now to speak properly about it, delivering her thoughts on Taylor Townsend’s reaction to the incident, rather than addressing the comments themselves.
Martina Navratilova on Taylor Townsend’s reaction to Jelena Ostapenko’s comments
Speaking with Gigi Salmon as part of a Sky Sports Q&A, she was asked all manner of questions, one of which prompted Navratilova to deliver her opinion on Emma Raducanu’s new coach.
However, the far more important topic came when Townsend’s reaction to Ostapenko’s comments was posed, to which the 18-time singles Grand Slam champion claimed: “You know, I think she’s got a really good head on her shoulders.
“She’s very mature. Been through mud, gave birth and came back to play her best tennis. And, you know, black women don’t make it easy anywhere in the world and in America these days.
“So you have to be tough, you have to be smart, and she rose above it and handled it beautifully and didn’t take it personally.
“Also, I think in translation from Russian to English, it comes off harsher than it was meant to be, but still, Ostapenko has a way of kind of saying more than she should, shall we say.”
Taylor Townsend’s exceptional US Open run across singles and doubles
Whilst Townsend’s singles run may have been halted at the hands of Barbora Krejčíková, her favoured format, the doubles, still poses the prospect of a title.
Regardless, it has been a mesmerising, historic tournament for the 29-year-old, who equalled her best-ever performance at any Grand Slam in the singles with her run to the fourth round.
And, she subsequently blew eight match points during that clash, so close to setting a personal record.
Regardless, there is still silverware on the line, with Townsend having just beaten Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez, as well as the third seeds Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova, to reach the US Open ladies’ doubles final.
They play tomorrow against Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski.
