US Open: Ostapenko, Townsend clash over ‘disrespectful’ net cord; Raducanu backs Alcaraz’s bold cut

NEW YORK: Jelena Ostapenko lost her cool and waded into her opponent Taylor Townsend after the American put her out of the US Open.“She told me I have no education, no class, and to see what happens if we play each other outside of the US.

I said, "I'm excited, bring it,” said the left-hander, ranked 139 in singles and No.1 in doubles.

“I've never been one to back down from anything like that. If I show respect to you, I expect respect as well. It was unfortunate, but it's something I can put on my TikTok!”

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The heavy-striking Latvian took exception to Townsend not apologizing for a net cord. It all happened out on Court No.11 after the 29-year-old knocked out Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1.
Townsend was all smiles when she came into the press. “Hi everybody! This is the type of day y'all live for,” she said.

Ostapenko, the 25th seed, and Townsend have clashed twice in singles and a bunch of times in doubles. Most recently in the Wimbledon semi-finals, where Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, the top-seeds, were edged out. Their singles head-to-head coming into Wednesday’s meeting was locked at 1-1.After the match Ostapenko took to Social Media to make her point.

“Today after the match I told my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding moment and didn't say sorry. Her answer was that she doesn't have to say sorry at all.” Ostapenko added, “In the beginning of the match all players are supposed to start warming up (from) the baseline. This opponent starts the warm up at the net which is very disrespectful.

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Townsend pointed out that while she was stumped by the net cord herself, this is the way she always warms-up.“I stood up for myself,” said Townsend, the mother of four-year-old Adyn Aubrey. “I (was conscious) of how I (came across) and if my son were to see this interaction, how he would view it. I think he would be proud of the way I handled the situation. The thing that I'm the most proud of is that I let my racquet talk.”Townsend’s mixed-doubles partner Ben Shelton applauded her. “Not the smartest thing to say to an American in New York City,” he said.Words like ‘sore loser’, ‘poor sportsmanship’ floated around the grounds, fingers pointing at the mercurial Ostapenko.World No.1 Aryna Sabalenaka, while not making excuses for the 28-year-old, threw her arms around Ostapenko, saying she can lose control over her emotions.“She has some struggles she is facing. Sometimes when you struggle in life, it can reflect in your tennis, on the court you're more unstable,” said Sabalenka, who made time to speak to the Latvian.

“I was just trying to help her to face it in a mature way. So she has someone she could speak to and let it out.”Carlos owns the cutCarlos Alcaraz’s mixed-doubles partner Emma Raducanu weighed in on tennis’ NewsHour debate on the Spaniard’s clipper cut.“He owns it, I think he pulls it off,” the Briton said. “If you own a haircut like that, it can work.”Raducanu, 22, said reactions to the cut were a mixed field.

“But whatever he does, it's not going to affect what he does on the court,” she said.

“I'm just happy to see him having fun with whatever.”Alcaraz’ rival and world No.1 Jannik Sinner thinks everything suits the Spaniard.“It grows very fast, it's going to be all aligned in two days,” the 24-year-old Italian said. “But it suits him. Even like this, it looks good. When he has longer hair too, it suits him.”Meanwhile Frances Tiafoe flipped things around and joined the list of people who like Alcaraz’s haircut.“It looks better today,” Tiafoe said. “His hair does grow really fast. But at this point it's just comedy. It's just pure comedy, and I hope it continues, the back and forth. Again, as I said, that's my guy.”