Ostapenko : "Dans le tennis, l'esprit compte pour 75% de tout"

Jelena Ostapenko remains one of the most unpredictable and charismatic figures on the circuit, but also a player who has had to learn to live with the burden of success that came too early. The Latvian, champion of Roland Garros in 2017, now reflects from a much more mature perspective on her career, her inconsistency, and the challenge of returning to the elite.

In a recent interview with the Australian Open podcast, Jelena Ostapenko addressed aspects such as her personal evolution, the importance of the mental factor, and her goal to regain a consistency that would allow her to return to the top 10. Particularly interesting are her confessions about her controversial on-court personality.

This Is How Jelena Ostapenko Understands Tennis

The Impact of an Early Grand Slam Success

One of the most revealing points of the interview was her reflection on that Roland Garros victory achieved at just 20 years old. "It was a long time ago, it's a big achievement, but I want to live in the present," Ostapenko stated, making it clear that she does not want to live anchored in the past.

However, she acknowledges that this success came too soon. "If I had won a Grand Slam a bit older, I would have handled it better," confessed the Latvian, in a sincere self-critique.

The impact was particularly strong due to her background. "I come from a small country, and all the attention when you come back home is enormous," she explained, pointing out how that context influenced her development.

The Challenge of Consistency and the Weight of the Mind

Ostapenko is clear about her main challenge for this stage of her career. "I want to be more consistent, especially in the big tournaments," she stated, highlighting the primary goal of her season.

To achieve this, she has focused on the mental aspect. "Tennis is 70 or 75% mental, everything is in the head," the Latvian explained, emphasizing the importance of that component.

This reflection comes from her own experience. "You can play amazingly in practice and then not win matches," she added, describing a common reality on the circuit.

Emotion, Authenticity, and On-Court Personality

One of Ostapenko's most distinctive traits is her expressiveness on the court, something she is not willing to change. "It comes naturally to me, I am like this, and I don't try to be someone that people want me to be," she firmly stated.

Nevertheless, she acknowledges that this is an aspect she has had to work on. "Sometimes it can be too much, but if I keep everything inside, I explode," she confessed, explaining her relationship with emotions.

For the Latvian, that authenticity is part of her identity as a player. "People who understand me like it because I am myself," she added, reaffirming her style.

Looking to the Future: Return to the Top 10

At 28 years old, Ostapenko faces a new stage with clear goals and a more settled mindset. "I want to return to the Top 10 and be more consistent in the big tournaments," the Latvian affirmed. With more experience and a fuller understanding of the circuit, she feels better prepared to tackle this challenge. "Now I am more mature, and I believe I can do better," she explained.

Far from the explosive emergence of her beginnings, Jelena Ostapenko now seeks to build a more solid version of herself. A player who no longer relies solely on talent but understands that true progress lies in mental and competitive stability. All this without giving up her genuine playing style and on-court personality.