Taylor Townsend gives her take following the contentious encounter with Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open.

In the bustling atmosphere of the Grandstand at this year's US Open, Taylor Townsend's first-round doubles match was an unexpected spectacle. The crowd was almost full, a rarity for such a match, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament debut.

However, the spotlight soon shifted as the tournament progressed. Townsend found herself embroiled in a controversy with Jelena Ostapenko, her second-round singles opponent. The Latvian tennis star took to Instagram to criticize Townsend, stating that she did not apologize after winning a point via a fortuitous net cord and took issue with Townsend's warm-up routine.

Townsend, finding Ostapenko's comments hypocritical, given Ostapenko's reputation for questionable sportsmanship, responded with grace and poise. She hoped that the incident could serve as a reminder to onlookers that it's okay to be "unapologetically yourself."

The exchange between the two players did not end there. On-court after the match, Ostapenko confronted Townsend, accusing her of having "no class" and "no education." Townsend, in a post-match press conference, was asked if she believed the comments had racial undertones. She responded that such stigmas have been a part of her community.

Despite the controversy, Townsend emerged victorious, winning the match in straight-sets (7-5, 6-1). The incident seems to have sparked a notable uptick in support from fans in the stadium during Townsend's matches, with many expressing their disapproval of Ostapenko's behaviour.

As Townsend prepares for her third-round singles clash against Mirra Andreeva on Friday night, she continues to receive "so much love and support" from tennis fans. Naomi Osaka, another prominent figure in the tennis world, described Ostapenko's comments as ill-timed and made to "the worst person you could ever have said it to."

Jelena Ostapenko, for her part, has denied that her comments to Taylor Townsend were racist. She answered the accusations made by Townsend on Instagram, stating that she regretted the way the situation unfolded but denied any racist intent.

Townsend, however, has not received an apology or any communication from Ostapenko since the exchange. Despite this, she remains focused on her tennis, eager to continue her run at the US Open.

Taylor Townsend gives her take following the contentious encounter with Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open.