Eight years later, Ostapenko is still swinging freely and winning titles

Just two days after her 20th birthday, Jelena Ostapenko made history with an exceptional comeback victory against Simona Halep in the 2017 Roland Garros final. As an unseeded player, this Grand Slam win was unprecedented since 1933, and it was the first time in nearly four decades that a woman`s maiden WTA title was a major.

Looking back, it`s understandable that the young Latvian might have been unprepared for the sudden fame and pressure that followed such a significant achievement.

“At that time I was probably fearless, but I didn’t have that much experience,” Ostapenko reflected in Doha a few months prior to her Stuttgart victory. “I think honestly now I’m a better player, and mentally as well. Getting a bit older and more mature I think is going to help me.”

Nearly eight years later, in Stuttgart, Ostapenko, again unseeded, demonstrated her growth. She triumphed over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4, 6-1 victory in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final. This win propels Ostapenko back into the WTA Rankings Top 20.

This marked her first victory over Sabalenka in their four encounters. Her impressive run in Stuttgart also included a quarterfinal win against No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek, continuing her undefeated record against Swiatek at 6-0. It`s noteworthy that Ostapenko entered the Stuttgart tournament with a season record of 7-9.

High-stakes situations seem to energize Ostapenko, and she shared with reporters that she had a strong feeling about her chances in Stuttgart.

“Honestly, I didn’t tell anyone,” Ostapenko admitted. “I was keeping it to myself, but I felt very confident since the first day. I had, like, strange — not strange but in a good way, strange feeling.

“When I came here, I felt like something is going to happen this week. I pretty much felt that I can win this tournament.”

Sabalenka acknowledged Ostapenko`s performance, stating, “Honestly I think it was few points at the end of the first set. After the first set, she just outplayed me. Yeah, it was just great game from her in the second set.”

Following her win, Ostapenko answered questions:

You beat No. 1 and No. 2 in the same tournament. What does that mean to you?

Ostapenko: I’m really, really happy with my performance in general this week. I was ready to play every single player, because the draw here is so small. You have to be ready for the best, and I did that.

You have played the World No. 1 four times — and won three. What is it about that challenge that brings out the best in you?

Ostapenko: I am always ready for a battle. Everybody at this level is a good player. Honestly, I don’t think about this.

How do you explain this breakout week, why now?

Ostapenko: Because the time has come to play! [Laughing]. I think the game was already very good, but I have been working on my mental stuff. I understand what I have to do now. I believe in myself.

Being more mature, in your mind do you have less pressure and play freer?

Ostapenko: I think so, yes. I had already enough pressure in my career. Even today I didn’t feel it — even though it was final. In my mind, I was just playing a match. Unfortunately, no time to celebrate. Tennis is a busy sport. Jumping on a [Frankfurt] plane, then practice in Madrid for a few days and play a match on Thursday.

How will this help your confidence going to Roland Garros? Should you be considered a favorite this year?

Ostapenko: I’m not putting any pressure on myself. Obviously I can play well on this surface. I will take it match by match, but anything can happen.

Here`s more from the first week on the European red clay:

Honor Roll

Elina Svitolina: Former World No. 3 Svitolina returned from maternity leave in April 2023 and quickly won the Strasbourg title the following month. This week she added another title to her name.

Top-seeded Svitolina claimed the Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole title, her 18th WTA singles title and seventh on clay. Her husband Gael Monfils was present to see her lift the trophy in his home country.

`I feel confident about my game, I trust my game,` Svitolina said. `The way it was from the beginning of the tournament, some players played really well, but I stayed calm and kept fighting.`

Aryna Sabalenka: Sabalenka finished as the Stuttgart runner-up for the fourth time in four finals at the event. She now has 25 match wins for the season, has reached five finals, and will extend her lead as World No. 1 in the rankings.

Ekaterina Alexandrova: Having previously achieved an eight-match winning streak this season, Alexandrova is again in excellent form. She secured two Top 10 wins in Stuttgart (defeating Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula) and holds a 6-2 record in the clay-court season, reaching two semifinals (Charleston and Stuttgart).

Olga Danilovic: Firmly within the Top 40, Serbia`s Danilovic is another player experiencing frequent wins. She has won nine of her last 10 matches and reached her fourth WTA 250 final in Rouen this past week.

Dalma Galfi: The Hungarian player has also won nine of her last 10 matches. After finishing as runner-up at WTA 125 La Bisbal d`Emporda earlier in April, Galfi secured her first WTA 125 title this week on the clay of Oeiras, Portugal.

Social Buzz

Earlier this week, WTA Legend Serena Williams was recognized as one of TIME`s Most Influential People in the world for 2025.

The former World No. 1 and 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was praised by track-and-field champion Allyson Felix, who noted that Williams `continues to pave the way. So many female athletes see ourselves in Serena. A win for her is a win for all of us.`

`[Williams] probably influenced millions, and I`m one of them,` World No. 4 Coco Gauff commented in Stuttgart. `Not only in tennis but worldwide, just to be strong women and especially women of color.

`It`s well-deserved. I wasn`t surprised when I saw that. Her photos looked really good.`

Stat Corner

6: Following her latest victory in the Stuttgart quarterfinals, Ostapenko maintains a perfect 6-0 record against Iga Swiatek. They could potentially face each other for a seventh time in the Mutua Madrid Open Round of 16 if they both win their initial matches.

3: With her Stuttgart victory over top-ranked Sabalenka, Ostapenko has now won three out of four matches against players ranked World No. 1 at the time of their meetings. Her other wins include against Garbiñe Muguruza at 2017 Wuhan and Swiatek at the 2023 US Open. Ostapenko`s sole loss against a reigning No. 1 player was to Ashleigh Barty at 2021 Miami.

26: After her quarterfinal appearance in Stuttgart, Jessica Pegula leads the tour in main-draw match wins this year with 26 victories. Sabalenka is close behind with 25.

Shots of the Week

At the end of an all-court rally in Rouen, Suzan Lamens bested Bianca Andreescu with a forehand at full stretch: