A storm of controversy has erupted at the US Open after American tennis player Sachia Vickery levelled shocking allegations of racism against her opponent, former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
The fiery first-round encounter, won by Ostapenko 6-4, 6-4, was marred by a heated exchange at the net following the final point. Vickery, who also has a significant presence on the subscription platform OnlyFans, claims the altercation took a deeply offensive turn.
The Explosive Allegation
In a series of social media posts, Vickery alleged that Ostapenko's on-court aggression crossed a line into racism. The core of her claim is that Ostapenko referred to her behaviour as "ghetto"—a term Vickery interprets as a racially coded slur targeting her as a Black woman.
"To be called 'ghetto' for clapping my racket? There is no way to interpret that as anything other than racist," Vickery stated. She expressed her dismay, suggesting the comment played into harmful stereotypes about Black women's behaviour and temperament.
Ostapenko's Firm Rebuttal
Jelena Ostapenko and her team were swift and categorical in their denial. Through a statement, the Latvian star refuted the claims, labelling them as "completely untrue and baseless."
Ostapenko's version of events maintains that her frustration was solely with Vickery's conduct during the match, including what she perceived as intentional delay tactics and gamesmanship. She insists her comments were about sportsmanship and have absolutely no racial connotation.
A Match Fraught With Tension
The on-court drama was palpable from the start. The match was punctuated by intense glares, racket claps, and verbal exchanges across the net. At one stage, Ostapenko was heard complaining to the umpire about Vickery's pace of play.
The tension reached its peak at the handshake, where a brief but visibly charged confrontation occurred. This moment is now the central focus of the dispute, with both players offering starkly different interpretations of the words spoken.
The Aftermath and Broader Conversation
The incident has ignited a fierce debate within the tennis community and among fans on social media. It raises complex questions about perceived racism, microaggressions, and the fine line between gamesmanship and disrespect in the high-stakes world of professional sport.
As of now, neither the WTA nor the USTA has issued an official statement regarding the allegations or indicated whether any formal investigation will be launched. The tennis world now waits to see if this war of words will develop into an official disciplinary matter.
