2 weeks ago
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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has hinted that off-court personal issues were behind the rant that left Jelena Ostapenko forced to deny claims of racism, adding that she hopes the volatile Latvian will 'one day figure herself' out.
Ostapenko took issue with her opponent Taylor Townsend's refusal to apologize for a net cord during their second round match on Wednesday, telling the American after the match that she had 'no education and no class'.
Given Townsend is black, some sensed overtones of racism in the phrase 'no education', and Ostapenko said on Instagram: '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.'
Sabalenka was asked about the actions of her fellow Eastern European, and revealed that she spoke to her just after the incident.
'I actually spoke to Jelena after the match,' said the Belarusian. 'During our conversation, I didn't know what happened. I have to say that she's nice, she just sometimes can lose control. She has some things in life to face and some struggles.
'I was just trying to help her to face it more in a mature way, to settle down and be someone she could speak to and just let it go.
Jelena Ostapenko told American Taylor Townsend she has 'no education and no class'
The extraordinary meltdown came at the end of a straight-sets loss and sparked racism claims
'I think she sometimes can lose control over her emotions, which is pretty tough.
'I really hope one day she will figure herself out and handle it much better.'
Asked if Ostapenko's extreme reaction might be down to something off-court, Sabalenka replied: 'I think so, yeah. You know, sometimes when you struggle with things in life, it can reflect your tennis career, and on court you're more unstable, you can lose control. You just don't understand what's going on in the moment. I'm pretty sure, looking back, she's not happy with her behaviour.'
Meanwhile, Townsend was backed by Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, both also of African American descent.
'Crazy, crazy statement,' said Shelton of Ostapenko's words. 'Shocking comments towards her, and not the smartest thing to say to an American in New York City.
'She handled her business. Always going to back Taylor. I don't know exactly what happened during the match, but happy for her that she's making a run in the singles draw.
It has now been revealed that Ostapenko has been struggling with off-court personal issues
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka spoke out about Ostapenko's struggles away from tennis
'Like she said after the match, she spoke with her racquet. Yeah, just happy to see her winning.'
Tiafoe said: 'You need to sit there and laugh at that. I never think it needs to go there. No reason for it.
If you lost, you lost.
'No reason to ever go there. Keep it about tennis. When I see the video, maybe next time around I'll have something more to say, but shout-out to Taylor, good job.'
