Anything is possible
When the French Open began, the general consensus was that the Ladies’ singles title would be up for grabs. Prohibitive favorite Serena Williams needed to deal with her pregnancy. Two-time champion Maria Sharapova was denied a wild-card entry due to a drug suspension. Major winners Victoria Azarenka was likewise out. Still, conventional wisdom couldn’t have referred to the ascendancy of an unproven player, not with the likes of Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza, Angelique Kerber, and even Venus Williams standing out from the rest of the field.
As things turned out, Roland Garros did get to witness the crowning of the most unheralded competitor in literally ages. Not since 1933 has an unseeded hopeful managed to claim the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. And, boy, was Jelena Ostapenko a veritable underdog. She was just 19 when she began the tournament, but she bucked a hundred-to-one odds to cement her place in history as the first ballstriker since 1997 to claim an inaugural title at a Grand Slam stop. Given her seeming date with destiny, it’s stunning to note that she turned 20 on the day she forged her way to the final, and on the day Gustavo Kuerten celebrated the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough victory.
Considering Ostapenko’s outstanding play throughout the fortnight, it’s a wonder she hadn’t yet prevailed on tour. In any case, she wasn’t gifted with a cakewalk. On the contrary, she faced a tough draw; along the way, she had to deal with such notables as former World Number Ones Samantha Stosur and Caroline Wozniacki and determined Timea Bacsinszky. Despite the obstacles she had to hurdle, however, she remained confident of her chances. In fact, she proved fearless from start to finish, never hesitating to go for the lines and sharp angles regardless of circumstance. It’s why she racked up a ridiculously high number of unforced errors by the time her campaign was done. And, to her credit, it’s also why she managed to ride on an even higher number of winners, the most in the tourney by far.
Significantly, Ostapenko oozed with humility in the aftermath, not quite contending that she has arrived, but also conceding that “If I have a good day and I’m hitting really well, anything is possible.” She disclosed that she will continue to be aggressive no matter the score. “It’s just the way I play.” And judging from the way she snatched the French Open title, it’ll also be the way she’ll continue to be a force for some time to come.
As things turned out, Roland Garros did get to witness the crowning of the most unheralded competitor in literally ages.