Taylor Townsend continues to field questions about the Jelena Ostapenko controversy that occurred earlier this week, as she continues to propel her way through the US Open draw.
It has been a whirlwind week for the American, who has had to balance this incident with her tennis.
However, she is admittedly doing it brilliantly, speaking with poise and grace before then going onto the court and thriving.
Mirra Andreeva marked her latest victim in the singles draw, but it was what she said after a recent doubles win that is particularly interesting.
Taylor Townsend shares what other players have told her about the Jelena Ostapenko controversy
Speaking after her win in the ladies’ doubles event, she was once again asked about the controversy surrounding Ostapenko’s comments.
One reporter sought to find out if she had received any support from her peers, or even spoken to fellow players about the incident.
Taylor Townsend revealed: “Yeah, I mean, I’ve talked to a lot of people about it because, you know, honestly, people come up to me. I haven’t enticed any sort of conversation.
“You know, anyone and everyone that I’ve spoken to who saw anything, they obviously said that it was disrespectful and, you know, even the mannerisms of her hand point at my face, like I’m a child, and, you know, like, just the things that she was saying, you know, everyone said that it was, like, you know, just, it was bad behaviour.
“It was also very hypocritical, you know, I mean, she’s not known to have sportsmanship and, you know, have the best code of conduct, so to try and call me out on something that you don’t even do yourself is crazy.
“So, yeah, I mean, I spoke to several players about it, but, like I said, I’m not that kind of person. Like, I’m not the type of person to keep drama going.
“I think you guys know where I stand, and I’m very clear as to where I stand and how I feel about the situation, the things that I’ve said, I’ve been very clear about it. So, you know, what’s understood doesn’t need to be said. And that’s just what it is.”
Asked if Ostapenko had reached out to apologise for her conduct, her answer was a short one: “No.”
Townsend had admitted she wasn’t surprised by Ostapenko’s comments earlier in the week, highlighting her opinion of the Latvian.
Taylor Townsend’s magical US Open run continues with Mirra Andreeva win
In Paris, Andreeva collapsed under the pressure of the French crowd’s support for their hometown hero, Lois Boisson.
There were questions over whether she might crumble again, facing an American in New York.
It’s fair to say that she once again didn’t pass the test.
She was well beaten by Townsend, who once again looked superb, creating an impressive 14 break points despite only converting five of them. For comparison, Andreeva forged just three, yet claimed two of them to keep the match relatively close.
In the end, the doubles specialist was always on top, and now has the unenviable task of facing an equally in-form Barbora Krejčíková, a two-time Grand Slam champion at the US Open.
