SUMMARY
- Jelena Ostapenko shares insights from her match with Serena Williams, revealing the challenges of facing a tennis legend.
- Ostapenko's journey includes a memorable encounter with Williams during a 2020 tie.
In a revealing glimpse into her mindset on the court, Jelena Ostapenko shares insights from her lone encounter with Serena Williams. This candid reflection offers a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of facing a tennis legend and the lessons learned from such experiences.
Jelena Ostapenko, the former French Open champion, has kicked off the 2024 season with notable victories in Adelaide and Linz, reclaiming her spot in the top 10. Despite her recent success, her journey has been marked by both triumphs and challenges, including a memorable match against Williams in 2020 during a Billie Jean King Cup tie.
Recalling the intense showdown, Ostapenko reveals her struggle to balance admiration for her idol with the demands of competition, particularly during critical tie-breaks. This internal conflict may have influenced the outcome of their match, which saw Ostapenko narrowly fall to Williams with a scoreline of 6-7 (4), 6-7 (3).
Jelena Ostapenko on Serena Williams:
“My idol was always Serena. I was always watching her. The way she was on the court, firing it up & all the emotions. I really love it. I think that’s what makes tennis a great game. I’m older now.. I hope I can be an idol for some kids.” 🥰 pic.twitter.com/8K6tXJhjHj
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 22, 2023
In her words, Ostapenko reflects, “Sometimes when you respect someone too much, it can put pressure on you… I felt this didn’t help me to win.” The Latvian player’s honest assessment serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in professional tennis.
While Ostapenko maintains her admiration for Serena Williams, she acknowledges the importance of seeing her as a formidable opponent rather than an idol during competition. Ostapenko acknowledges, “She can be my idol, but when I play against her I have to forget these things and I just have to see her as a player.” This reflection shows the internal struggle faced by athletes when they meet their idols as rivals on the court.
Jelena Ostapenko triumphs over Xiyu Wang at the Dubai Championship
Jubilation filled the air as Jelena Ostapenko marked her re-entry into the world’s top 10 with a hard-fought victory over Xiyu Wang at the Dubai Championship. The win for the Latvian powerhouse, who had clinched the title in 2022, was not without its challenges, as Chinese qualifier Wang put up a fierce fight, delivering an impressive 11 aces during their enthralling encounter that stretched over two hours.
Despite facing stiff competition, Ostapenko’s determination and exceptional skill shone, helping her overcome Wang with a scoreline of 5-7, 6-2, 6-3, securing her place in the Round of 32. This victory placed her on par with Elena Rybakina for the most match wins on the WTA Tour this season. With two titles already under her belt in 2024, courtesy of triumphs in Adelaide and Linz, Ostapenko’s resurgence is nothing short of remarkable.
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Reflecting on her journey, Ostapenko remains grounded, emphasizing the importance of hard work that has brought consistency to her gameplay. She is determined to adopt a more aggressive approach during decisive moments, a strategy that she believes will yield better results. As Ostapenko prepares to face Lulu Sun in the upcoming round, her unwavering focus and newfound confidence are poised to propel her further.