Competition is heating up in the second round of the US Open.
Following Jelena “Alona” Ostapenko’s 5-7, 1-6 loss to American Taylor Townsend Aug. 27, the Latvian tennis player allegedly had a few choice words for her opponent.
During their post-match handshake, the former French Open champion appeared to call out Townsend for not apologizing earlier during play when she hit a net cord, where the ball hits the top of the net but remains in play. (While many players make a habit of holding a hand up to apologize for a successful net cord, there is no official rule forcing a player to show remorse.)
After the interaction—which included multiple verbal exchanges and was drowned out by the crowd booing in response—Townsend detailed the moment during her on-court interview.
“It’s competition, people get upset when they lose and some people say bad things,” she explained of Ostapenko. “She told me I have no class, I have no education and to see what happens when we get outside the U.S.”
While pointing out she had already beaten Ostapenko in another country—Canada—Townsend explained that she was “looking forward” to seeing “what else she has to say” in future competitions.
The 29-year-old also defended herself by noting she kept a positive attitude when she was losing to her opponent earlier in the match.
“When she was playing well, I didn’t say anything. That just shows class,” she continued. “Sometimes people are playing too good and you have to just take it.”
Following the match’s tense ending, Ostapenko weighed in with her thoughts on social media.
“Today after the match I told my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding momen [sic] and didn’t say sorryt [sic],” she wrote in an Instagram Story. “Her answer was that she doesn’t have to say sorry at all. There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was first time ever that this happened to me on tour.”
The 28-year-old added, “If she plays in her homeland it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants.”
Ostapenko also called out Townsend for how she warmed up before the match, though there are also no official rules regarding the order of a warmup.
“In the beginning of the match all players are supposed to start warm up on the baseline,” the Latvian wrote. “The opponent came out and straight away started the warm up at then [sic] which is very disrespectful and against the rules of a tennis match.”
Despite the loss and notable exchange that followed, Ostapenko concluded with a note of gratitude.
“Thanks all my fans for your support,” she shared. “I will come back stronger. Situations like that motivate me to work even harder.”
In addition to notable on-court scenes, the US Open has been filled with star sightings. Read on to check out all the celebs that have attended this year’s tennis tournament.
Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak
Dunder Mifflin for life! The Office stars reunited to take a selfie as they watched the Men’s Singles Final on Sept. 7.
Cardi B
The rapper celebrated her performance at Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open After Party with a side of Chicken Fingers at Chez Margaux in New York City.
Bowen Yang
Live from New York, it’s the US Open! The SNL star raised a spritz to celebrate the women’s semi-finals from the Aperol suite.
Logan Paul & Nina Agdal
The newlyweds enjoyed the match on Sept. 7 from Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open Suite.
Amaya Espinal
The Love Island winner waved to fans as she arrived at the Cadillac Suite inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.
Emma Roberts
The American Horror Story actress was sporting a Ralph Lauren ensemble as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 4.
Jeremy Allen White & Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Yes, chef! The stars of The Bear cheered on the players inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.
Dylan Efron
The new Dancing With the Stars cast member visited the Aperol Spritz suite at the US Open wearing the cable knit sweater from the cocktail’s new Tennis Collection.
Brooke Williamson & Bobby Flay
The Top Chef winner and Food Network star packed on the PDA while watching the women’s singles semifinals on Sept. 4.
Alexandra Daddario
The White Lotus alum looked fab on the US Open blue carpet on Sept. 4.
Orlando Bloom
The actor was in attendance to watch the women’s singles semi-final matches on Sept. 4.
Laverne Cox
The actress posed for pics inside the Cadillac Suite at the US Open on Sept. 1.
Owen Wilson & Ben Stiller
The Zoolander co-stars caught up while courtside at the tournament on Sept. 2.
Issa Rae
The Insecure creator and actress swung by the blue carpet during her visit to the US Open on Sept. 2.
Abbott Elementary cast
School’s out! Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams, Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter enjoy a field trip to the US Open on Aug. 30.
Brooks Nader
The Love Thy Nader star is spotted inside the Cadillac Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Aug. 31.
Lindsay Lohan & Bader Shammas
The Freakier Friday star and her husband enjoyed watching the tennis from inside the Cadillac Suite.
Simone Ashley
The Bridgerton actress looked cozy in Polo Ralph Lauren bear sweater as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 1.
Skyler Gisondo
The Righteous Gemstones star kicked back with a can of Heineken 0.0 from the stands on Aug. 29.
Steve Carell
Cheese! The Office alum kindly posed for a selfie with fans during the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Luciano Darderi match on Aug. 29.
Jeremy Allen White
The Bear star cooked up a smart casual look as he attended the tennis tournament on Labor Day.
Elizabeth Banks
The Hunger Games actress brings her finest tennis Labubu to the tournament on Aug. 31.
Katie Holmes
The Dawson’s Creek alum posed for a pic before taking her seat inside the Cadillac Suite.
Ciara & kids
The singer brought along her kids Future and Sienna to watch the tennis action on Sept. 1.
Anna Wintour & Rami Malek
The Vogue boss and Bohemian Rhapsody actor watch a men’s singles match together on Sept. 1.
Queen Latifah
The actress and rapper was having a ball watching the gameplay on Aug. 28.
Simone Biles
The record-breaking Olympic gymnast was in the crowd to watch Coco Gauff win her second round match on Aug. 28, and proved to be inspirational for her fellow American.
Andrew Scott
The Irish actor looked sharp in a light green ensemble as he sat courtside on Aug. 28.
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jasmine Cephas Jones
The Hamilton creator reunited with his co-star to watch the world’s best tennis players take their shot at the US Open.
Jonathan van Ness
The Queer Eye star and podcast host brought a pop of color to the US Open on Aug. 28.
