Tennis star involved in US Open racism row has vital signs checked in worrying scenes

Jelena Ostapenko required a medical check-up during a Guadalajara Open match against Marina Stakusic this weekend. The Latvian needed a medical timeout and was spotted having her vitals checked by the physio.

The incident occurred in the third set, with opponent Stakusic having already taken a controlling lead. The Canadian was 3-0 up in the deciding set, with the talented 20-year-old going on to secure a 6-2 win.

It's the second consecutive time Ostapenko has been knocked out by Stakusic at the Guadalajara Open, but it's come during a turbulent period for the 28-year-old. Ostapenko was accused of racist comments towards Taylor Townsend during the pair's US Open encounter.

Ostapenko was left upset with Townsend for her failure to apologise after winning a point off the net, but it was her comments that caused controversy. Townsend claimed afterwards that Ostapenko had accused her of lacking an education, which the American said was "one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport."

Ostapenko was quick to deny the suggestions, taking to social media to address her behaviour. She said: I wanted to apologise for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match.

"English is not my native language so when I said education, I was speaking only about what I believe as tennis etiquette, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court. I appreciate the support as I continue to learn and grow as a person and a tennis player. Goodbye New York and I look forward to being back next year."

Townsend, who went as far as the round-of-16 at Flushing Meadows, acknowledged the apology, saying: "That's nice that she did that, that she apologised. That's fine. That's cool. At the end of the day, I think that it's a learning lesson for her.

"Like I said when everything first happened, you cannot push your expectations on other people. That's ultimately what happened. She expected for me to react a certain type of way, and I didn't, and it infuriated her. Which led her to say things that are hurtful, that are belligerent, that are offensive, not only to me, but to the sport and to a whole culture of people that I try to do my best to represent the best that I can."