There was high drama at the US Open when Jelena Ostapenko clashed with Taylor Townsend following their second-round match.

The 25th seed, Ostapenko, lost 7-5, 6-1 to unseeded American Taylor Townsend, and tempers flared right after the game.

When both players came to the net for the traditional handshake on Wednesday, August 27, Ostapenko confronted Townsend angrily instead of simply exchanging respect.

Townsend, surprised, responded by telling her opponent, “I don’t have to do anything,” while Ostapenko kept pointing and speaking sharply.

The American eventually turned away, shook hands with the umpire, and pumped up the crowd, who cheered loudly in support.

After the heated moment, Townsend told reporters that Ostapenko insulted her by saying she had “no education, no class” and even suggested there could be a confrontation outside of tennis.

Townsend brushed it off, saying: “I told her I’m ready for whatever. I’ve never been someone to back down. What matters most is how I carried myself—with respect.”

She added that she wasn’t holding a grudge but emphasized that respect should go both ways: “If I respect you, I expect the same back. You all saw it—I didn’t back down.”

Townsend even joked that she might post the exchange on TikTok, saying the proudest moment was letting her tennis do the talking: “At the end of the day, I’m the one moving on to the next round while she’s going home.”

Meanwhile, Ostapenko later took to Instagram to defend her actions. She claimed her anger came from Townsend not apologizing after winning a crucial point with a net cord.

The Latvian star also accused Townsend of breaking tennis etiquette by warming up at the net before the match, something she said was unusual on tour.

Ostapenko wrote: “I felt disrespected because she didn’t say sorry for a net ball in an important moment. She told me she doesn’t have to, but in tennis most players follow this rule.”

She continued: “Just because she’s playing at home doesn’t mean she can ignore etiquette and do as she pleases.”