{"id":144689,"date":"2025-09-09T18:34:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/144689\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T18:34:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:34:11","slug":"naomi-osaka-gets-taylor-townsend-on-the-floor-with-jelena-ostapenko-dig-after-us-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/144689\/","title":{"rendered":"Naomi Osaka Gets Taylor Townsend \u2018On the Floor\u2019 With Jelena Ostapenko Dig After US Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tennis, beyond its fierce on-court rivalries, often sparks both strong bonds and occasional tensions between players. Recently, Naomi Osaka took a subtle jab at Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend\u2019s controversial exchange at the US Open. The reference, however, had Townsend in stitches, and she later shared her reaction.<\/p>\n

The drama erupted when Townsend toppled 25th seed Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in the second round. In fact, it was later at the net that the ordinary post-match handshake quickly gave way to a tense standoff. Townsend later revealed that Ostapenko had called her \u2018no class\u2019 and \u2018uneducated,\u2019 even threatening potential trouble if they met outside the U.S.<\/p>\n

How Did Naomi Osaka\u2019s Instagram Post Draw Taylor Townsend\u2019s Attention Days After US Open Incident?<\/p>\n

Osaka had earlier addressed the heated encounter, sharply criticizing<\/a> Ostapenko\u2019s choice of words and emphasizing how wrong it was to direct such remarks at a Black player in a \u201cmajority-white sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Japanese star enjoyed a phenomenal run at Flushing Meadows, finishing as a semifinalist. Days after her campaign, she shared a few photos<\/a> on Instagram, showcasing her time in New York. The post featured shots of herself, the men\u2019s final, and her access pass, but intriguingly concluded with a picture of Taylor Townsend during her heated exchange with the Latvian.<\/p>\n

Spotting herself at the end of the post, Townsend couldn\u2019t help but laugh in the comments and was seemingly pleased to make a cameo.<\/p>\n

\u201cLAST SLIDE HAS ME ON THE FLOOR\ud83d\ude02 love how you slid that in there\ud83d\ude2d real love,\u201d she wrote in the comments.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Beyond her dominant on-court performance, Osaka also turned heads by bringing her custom-made Lububu to Flushing Meadows. One photo from her post even showcased a red, sparkling version that caught Townsend\u2019s attention. The American couldn\u2019t resist reacting and asked:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was the finals labubu going to be called?\u201d<\/p>\n

Osaka gave the adorable creation a playful nickname, along with a quirky revelation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Glowsaka and it was going to be my outfit for last year. I am sickkk,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Townsend had an impressive run at the 2025 US Open, reaching the fourth round and matching her career-best performance at Flushing Meadows from 2019. She also shone in women\u2019s doubles with Kate\u0159ina Siniakov\u00e1, advancing all the way to the final before falling to third seeds Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski. Her gritty performances even drew praise from Osaka.<\/a><\/p>\n

How Did Osaka Fare at Her North American Hard-Court Swing?<\/p>\n

Osaka, determined to move past a streak of early setbacks, entered the North American hard-court swing with fresh purpose. After bowing out in the second round in Washington, DC, she surged at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal, ultimately claiming the runner-up spot.<\/p>\n

But Osaka\u2019s comeback wasn\u2019t just confined to Montreal. She turned her focus to the stage that has long been her stronghold, the US Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion rediscovered her rhythm, defeating tough opponents Daria Kasatkina, third seed Coco Gauff, and 11th seed Karol\u00edna Muchov\u00e1 to reach the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Comeback complete for Amanda Anisimova! pic.twitter.com\/JOkSqrxgJi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Osaka showed strong promise against Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals, but the American proved too crafty, eventually winning 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 6-3 to reach her second straight Grand Slam final of the season.<\/p>\n

With that, the former World No. 1\u2019s run at Flushing Meadows ended, yet there were plenty of positives to take away.<\/p>\n