Jelena Ostapenko (left) has denied accusations of racism following her rant at Taylor Townsend CLIVE BRUNSKILL

Naomi Osaka hit out at Jelena Ostapenko on Thursday after the Latvian triggered accusations of racism following her US Open exit.

Ostapenko was at the centre of controversy on Wednesday after launching a furious on-court tirade at African American opponent Taylor Townsend after losing her second round

Townsend later revealed Ostapenko had accused her of having "no education and no

Those remarks were interpreted as racist by many social media users, prompting Ostapenko to issue a denial late Wednesday.

"Wow how many messages I received that I am a racist," Ostapenko wrote on Instagram.

"I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me

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