'I understand how the words I used could have offended many people': Jelena Ostapenko issues apology for Taylor Townsend storm

Jelena Ostapenko has apologised for her part in the fracas with Taylor Townsend earlier this week which went viral throughout the tennis world accusing Townsend of having 'no education and 'no class'.

This statement comes after Ostapenko tried to explain herself on Instagram but it went down like a lead balloon. The Latvian was accused of having racial undertones in questions levied to most players with Naomi Osaka, Frances Tiafoe among others answering questions on the matter at the US Open.

"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, but her answer was that she doesn't have to say sorry at all," said Ostapenko earlier this week.

But on Saturday evening after exiting the event, she has now released a final statement saying that she understands perhaps why it was construed in a certain way and apologises for her part in it. She said that she will now aim to grow as a person and a tennis player. "Hi all - I wanted to apologise for some of the things I said during my second round singles match. English is not my native language, so when I said education I was speaking only about what I believe as tennis etiquette," said Ostapenko.

"But I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court. I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a tennis player. Goodbye New York and I look forward to being back next year."

"There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was [the] first time ever that this happened to me on tour. If she plays in her homeland it doesn't mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants."

But this wasn't seen as right by Townsend who dubbed the situation and the response from Ostapenko as being comical. She went on to also beat Mirra Andreeva in the next round and is now into the Last 16 of the US Open.

"It's competition, people get upset when they lose and some people say bad things," said Townsend in her post-match interview. She told me I have no class, I have no education and to see what happens when we get outside the US. I'm looking forward to it. I beat her in Canada outside the US so let's see what else she has to say."

"I didn't back down because you're not going to insult me, especially after I carried myself a certain type of way with nothing but respect. If I show respect to you, I expect respect as well. That's just the fact of the matter. I think that that's tennis. It was unfortunate, but it's something I can put on my TikTok."

She added on Ostapenko's response to matters. "I think it's comical. To then go online and have to justify what you said, you obviously feel some type of way and feel like you have to give an explanation for how you acted." Never far away from drama, Ostapenko has established a lot of column inches during a Grand Slam and seems to have now backed down from the situation as it begins to wind down.