Unseeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko was just as excited as she was in shock following her stunning French Open title win, claiming her first Grand Slam trophy with a comeback 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over third seed Simona Halep.
Following a stunning run to the title at the French Open, 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia was at a loss for words to describe her first tour title, yet alone a maiden Grand Slam trophy at Roland Garros. The unseeded Ostapenko shocked the tennis world, fighting back to defeat two-time finalist and third seed Simona Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a high-quality battle on the terre battue of Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris.
Only hours after the biggest moment of her life, hoisting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen in front of a packed Parisian crowd, Ostapenko was in a jubilant mood trying to discuss her surprising run to the title. While many expected the newly-turned 2o-year-old to fold under the pressure of a Grand Slam final on one of the sport’s biggest stages, Ostapenko flourished under it despite falling behind early on down 6-4, 3-0 to the more experienced Romanian Halep.
“Yeah, I knew I’m already in the final and I’m playing such a great player as Simona. And I was losing 6-4, 3-0, and then in my mind I was just, I’m just going to enjoy the match, and I will try to fight until the last point. And then I stayed aggressive and the match turned my way,” said Ostapenko.
Asked to describe her plethora of emotions following her first tour-level title at the French Open, the Latvian said, “Yeah, I’m really happy to win here. I think I’m still — I still cannot believe it, because it was my dream and now it came true. I think I’m going to only understand that in maybe couple of days or couple of weeks,” commented a still stunned, yet smiling Ostapenko.
For any player winning a maiden Grand Slam title marks a monumental turning point in their tennis careers and their lives as a whole. Looking at how this victory, becoming the first major champion from the small, European country of Latvia will change young Ostapenko’s life, the 2o-year-old said, “I mean, I’m really happy, but I still have to improve some things and to get better as player. And so I will work hard to climb the ranking and to maybe win some more titles,” said the new world number 12.
Having new won a tour-level title or gone beyond the third round at a major, this fortnight in Paris was a major milestone for Ostapenko. While many would have been extremely nervous and overwhelmed in her shoes, the confident and composed Latvian seemed to take it all in stride, believing in her ability that she belonged on that stage.
“Actually, yeah, I slept very well. I was not nervous yesterday and today also. But before the match, five, ten minutes, I a little bit nervous. But then when I went on court, I felt quite free. But when I was losing second set, then I felt a little bit nervous. But then I felt I have nothing to lose, so I’m just going to enjoy the match and do my best.”
Clearly unphased by the nerves and the moment at least to the outside, Ostapenko closed out the final with a blistering return winner down the line to seal the title. A hallmark of the 20-year-old’s game is her aggression and powerful groundstrokes, so when match point came, it was only fitting she closed it out with her trademark weapon.
“I mean, as I said, I still cannot believe I won, I won the title, because my dream came true. So, yeah, was just trying to go for shots when I could and match point. And I was just, Okay, I have nothing to lose, I’m just going to hit winner. Or if I miss, okay, I have another one,” commented the unseeded Latvian.
Still only 20 years old, the future is incredibly bright for Ostapenko. A former junior Wimbledon champion, the Latvian seems destined to be able to accel across all surfaces. Asked about her ambitions now for the following years in her career, Ostapenko said, “Of course I would like to win probably all of the Grand Slams. It’s my goal, I think. But I’m just going to try to work hard now and try to reach the high ranking.”
While Ostapenko’s immense natural talent cannot be underestimated, it can’t go unnoticed the incredibly positive impact clay-court coach and former Spanish double great Annabel Medina Garrigues has had on young Ostapenko. After teaming up for the clay court season, Ostapenko reached her first WTA final on the green clay of Charleston at the Volvo Car Open en route to winning here in Paris, all under Medina Garrigues’ influence.
“We were working in one month since Stuttgart tournament, and we were working on some things. And also she’s very experienced. She was helping me. So, yeah, was really nice,” commented the Latvian.
While Ostapenko is currently on the high of a maiden major crown at Roland Garros, the big-hitting rising star is still prone to inconsistencies within matches and throughout her career so far. Asked to describe the journey up to this point, Ostapenko said, “Of course there were some bad moments when I was losing some matches, like, first round, first round. But then I was, like, Okay, I still have to work and one day I think it will change. And if I work hard, I will start winning.”
And boy was Ostapenko right. Her hard work combined with her confidence, aggressive mentality, and powerful groundstrokes have led the Latvian to this monumental moment in her career. And if the still very young 20-year-old can keep up the red-hot form she showed the tennis world this fortnight in Paris, then odds are we’ll be seeing a lot of Jelena Ostapenko in the future.
