'Worst thing you can say to a Black player': Naomi Osaka on Jelena Ostapenko-Taylor Townsend clash

A heated exchange between tennis players Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open has sparked controversy, with Ostapenko saying the American player had "no class" and "no education". The incident, which occurred after Townsend's straight-sets victory on Wednesday, has drawn attention from fellow players, with racial undertones attached to it.Naomi Osaka addressed the confrontation after her own victory against Hailey Baptiste. She pointed out the sensitive nature of such comments, especially when directed at a Black player in a predominantly White sport."I mean, it's really difficult to say. I think obviously it's one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport. And granted, I know Taylor and I know how hard she's worked and I know how smart she is, so she's the furthest thing from uneducated or anything like that," Osaka told reporters.Osaka also noted that while Ostapenko has a history of controversial statements, this particular comment was poorly timed and directed at the wrong person. She suggested that Ostapenko might not understand the historical context of such remarks in America.“But if you’re like genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don’t think that’s the craziest thing she’s said. I’m going to be honest.“I think it’s ill timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to. And I don’t know if she knows the history of it in America.“But I know she’s never going to say that ever again in her life. But, yeah, I mean, it was just terrible. Like, that’s just really bad.”The dispute started over what many consider a matter of tennis etiquette - apologising for the ball going over after hitting the top of the net. While legal in the sports' rulebook, many players tend to put up their hand or racket as mark of apology to the opponent.On social media, Ostapenko has however denied that her comments and on-court reaction to Townsend was racist."Wow how many messages I received that I am a racist. I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesn't matter where you come from," she wrote on Instagram.