Ostapenko has kept feet on ground after 2017 glory
ASK most players whether they have watched a video of a past triumph and they will tell you they just do not have time. Jelena Ostapenko, who won the French Open here last year in one of the most remarkable upsets in the tournament’s history, is different.
“I’ ve maybe watched it five times,” the 20-year-old Latvian said with a smile. “Every time I watch it I’m like, ‘Oh, I played really well!’ I played better with every match and built my confidence, especially in the final.”
This year’s French Open begins on Sunday, with Ostapenko having packed in plenty of experience over the last 11 and a half months. She arrived in Paris last year having never won a match at Roland Garros, having never won a senior tour-level title.
Ostapenko was the first unseeded player to win the Suzanne Lenglen Cup since Britain’s Peggy Scriven in 1933, the first Latvian to win a Grand Slam, the first woman to secure her maiden title at a Grand Slam event for 38 years and the first player of either sex to win their first tour-level title at Roland Garros since Gustavo Kuerten in 1997 on the day Ostapenko was born.
She won, moreover, playing a remarkable style of tennis, going for her shots at every opportunity. Simona Halep, her opponent in the final, hit just eight winners. Ostapenko cracked 54.
Although she has won only one more title (in Seoul last September), Ostapenko has performed consistently at Grand Slam level and recorded wins over Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina. She goes into the tournament as World No.5.
There is a youthful exuberance about Ostapenko, who will turn 21 next month. She still lives at home with her parents in the Latvian capital of Riga and her best friend is an old classmate.
“She’s studying at medical school,” Ostapenko said. “I’m good friends with her and some others I went to school with, plus some Latvian tennis friends who played with me in juniors. There are a couple of girls I’ve known since we were 10 and played together in summer camps.
“That hasn’t changed since I became a big name in my country. Old friends, those who have been with you in your tough mo- ments, they’re your best friends.”
Ostapenko has, nevertheless, become quite a celebrity in Latvia. “Of course it’s changed a lot, especially after I won the French Open and became a top 10 player,” she said. “People often recognise me and ask me for some photos. For most of the time that’s nice, but there are times when you would like privacy.”
Ostapenko said she had not been tempted to move to Monte Carlo or the Middle East or any of the other havens for tennis players seeking warming weather or lower taxes, or both.
“I really love Riga,” she said. “I’m so used to it and it’s a beautiful city. You have everything you need.”
Ostapenko is still coached by her mother, but at the end of last year her entourage was bolstered by the recruitment of David Taylor, who worked with Sam Stosur throughout his fellow Australian’s best years and also coached Ana Ivanovic and Naomi Osaka.
He will work with her for about 15 weeks of the year and in particular at the Grand Slam tournaments.
“My mum is a great coach but sometimes it’s hard because she’s my mum too,” Ostapenko said. “We needed someone else.”
Taylor will not be changing her attacking style.
“Since I started I’ ve wanted to go for it,” Ostapenko said. “I like to win points by myself and not just wait for my opponent to miss. I’ve been like that from the beginning. I don’t think you can teach those things.”
Big upset: Jelena Ostapenko celebrates at Roland Garros