Jelena Ostapenko`s passion for power and speed is evident in her aggressive tennis style, and as she revealed in Stuttgart, this love for fast things isn`t limited to the court.
After progressing in her Stuttgart match due to Dayana Yastremska`s retirement at 6-3, 3-0, Ostapenko`s fearless nature was discussed in an on-court interview. Rollercoasters, especially the most thrilling ones, are a favorite pastime for Ostapenko as she seeks an adrenaline rush. At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, the conversation naturally shifted to cars.
`I love driving fast,` Ostapenko admitted. `I`ve even taken advanced driving courses to learn drifting and similar techniques.`
The Stuttgart tournament famously awards a Porsche to the champion each year. Ostapenko already owns a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, specifically chosen for its high speed capabilities. When asked about speed limits, the former Roland Garros champion playfully responded with a laugh, `I hope the Latvian police aren`t watching!`
Ostapenko`s victory had a bittersweet element as her opponent, Dayana Yastremska, is a friend and her doubles partner for the week. Their reunion as a doubles team is something both aggressive players have looked forward to since reaching the Beijing final in 2019, their first tournament together. Despite limited opportunities to play together due to Yastremska`s doubles ranking, Stuttgart marks only their third tournament as a pair, and they have already won their first round against Nastasja Schunk and Ella Seidel.
According to Ostapenko, the best part of partnering with Yastremska is the amplified fearlessness they bring to the court.
`I think some doubles players lack this fearlessness,` Ostapenko explained. `When you commit to shots without hesitation, disregarding whether they land in or out, it’s advantageous. Singles players are often more fearless than doubles players, as some doubles specialists can become anxious and tense in crucial moments.`
`I see no downsides to our partnership. Even if we have an off day, we`ll accept it, but we`ll always strive to perform our best!`
Their continued progress in the tournament hinges on Yastremska`s recovery. Ostapenko expressed her understanding and support for Yastremska’s health after the match.
`Health is paramount,` she emphasized. `It always takes precedence over everything else.`
In the singles competition, Ostapenko`s next opponent will be either No. 7 seed Emma Navarro or Beatriz Haddad Maia.
