‘It’s tougher to be fearless when you get older’ – Ostapenko on being a teenage Grand Slam champion

The former French Open champion reflected on her biggest win so far coming so early in her career

Tennis – WTA 500 – Stuttgart Open – Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany – April 18, 2023 Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko celebrates after winning her round of 32 match against Britain’s Emma Raducanu (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

April 19, 2023

At the age of 25, Jelena Ostapenko is a seasoned veteran of the tour. In her second appearance at Roland-Garros, a handful of days after her 20th birthday in 2017, she won the title, going on to reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon a few weeks afterwards.

Since then, her most significant tournament successes have been in the doubles format – and after beating Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-1, the Latvian had some reflective words for the press at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

“I was kind of fearless [in 2017]. I was not thinking too much,” she said. “I felt today a little bit that way. I was just like going for the shots. Even I was missing, I was, like, It’s fine, I will still go for the shots. That was the main thing because it took time away from [Raducanu], and it was much harder for her to play against me.

Ostapenko: I was ready for this match

The 25-year-old will play Ons Jabeur in the next round, which she acknowledged would be a challenge.

“I think of course she’s a great player. It’s never easy, but I will try to just play my game and focus on myself and enjoy the match. For sure, it’s going to be a good match.”

With a smile, she confirmed that she was having a trial with coach Eduardo Bengoechea, and added: ” I just enjoyed it today because, as I said, I played well. I was just very focused from the beginning of the match, as I said, because I expected a tough battle. It’s never easy to play against Emma.

“Yeah, I think it’s more about mental and how much I was ready for the match. If I’m this much ready for every single match, then I think I can play well.”