American third seed Coco Gauff, who has regularly used her platform to speak out against racism, said Ostapenko was wrong to use those words about Townsend.

“I think it was a heat of the moment thing. I think Jelena was probably feeling emotions after she lost,” added 21-year-old Gauff.

“I do think that shouldn’t have been said regardless of how you’re feeling, especially given those were the reasons that she stated.

“Knowing Taylor personally, she’s the opposite of that.”

Ostapenko lost in the women’s doubles on Thursday but did not fulfil her media duties afterwards, with organisers citing illness.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka, speaking after her victory on Wednesday night, said she had spoken to Ostapenko to “help her face it more in a mature way”.

Sabalenka said: “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 settle down and just was someone she could speak to and just let it go.

“I really hope that one day she will figure herself and she will handle it much better. I’m pretty sure, looking back, she’s not happy with her behaviour.”