Just two days past her 20th birthday, Jelena Ostapenko made history. Her incredible comeback victory in three sets against Simona Halep in the 2017 Roland Garros final was truly remarkable. Ostapenko became the first unseeded player since 1933 to win a Grand Slam and the first woman in almost forty years to win a major as her first ever WTA Tour title.
Looking back, it`s perhaps not surprising that the vibrant Latvian wasn`t fully prepared for the intense fame and pressure that followed such a significant achievement.
“At that time, I was probably fearless, but I lacked experience,” Ostapenko reflected in Doha recently. “Honestly, I believe I am a better player now, both mentally and in my game. Growing older and more mature is definitely helping me.”
This was evident on Monday in Stuttgart. Nearly eight years later and still unseeded, Ostapenko demonstrated her growth by defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1 in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final. This victory propels Ostapenko back into the WTA Rankings Top 20.
It was her first victory over Sabalenka in four attempts. Her impressive Stuttgart run included a quarterfinal win against No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek, continuing her undefeated record against Swiatek at 6-0. It`s worth noting that Ostapenko entered Stuttgart with a season record of 7-9.
High-stakes situations seem to energize Ostapenko. She mentioned to reporters afterwards that she had a strong feeling about her chances in this tournament.
“Honestly, I didn’t tell anyone,” Ostapenko shared. “I kept it to myself, but I felt very confident from the beginning. I had this strange feeling, in a good way.
“When I arrived here, I felt like something special would happen this week. I genuinely felt I could win this tournament.”
Sabalenka commented, “Honestly, I think it came down to a few points at the end of the first set. After that, she simply outplayed me. It was a fantastic performance from her in the second set.”
Following her victory, Ostapenko answered some questions:
You beat No. 1 and No. 2 in the same tournament. What does that mean to you?
Ostapenko: I’m really happy with my performance this week. I was prepared to face any opponent, as the draw here is quite small. You have to be ready for the best, and I was.
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. At this level, everyone is a strong player. I honestly don’t overthink it.
How do you explain this breakthrough week, why now?
Ostapenko: Because it was time to play my best! [Laughing]. I think my game has been strong, but I’ve been focusing on my mental game. I now understand what I need to do and I believe in myself.
Do you feel less pressure and play more freely now that you are more mature?
Ostapenko: Yes, I think so. I’ve experienced enough pressure in my career already. Even today in the final, I didn`t feel it. In my mind, it was just another match. Unfortunately, there’s no time to celebrate for long. Tennis is a demanding sport. I`m catching a plane to Frankfurt, then practicing in Madrid for a few days before playing again on Thursday.
How will this win boost your confidence heading into Roland Garros? Should you be considered a favorite this year?
Ostapenko: I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself. I know I can perform well on clay. I`ll take it one match at a time, as 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. However, she had only reached one final since then, until this week.
Top-seeded Svitolina claimed the Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole title, her 18th WTA singles title and seventh on clay. Her husband Gael Monfils was there to support her, watching her lift the trophy in his home country.
`I feel confident in my game, I trust my game,` Svitolina said afterwards. `From the start of the tournament, some players played exceptionally well, but I remained calm and kept fighting.`
Aryna Sabalenka: Sabalenka finished as Stuttgart runner-up for the fourth time in her four finals at this event. Yet, she has 25 match wins this season, has reached five finals, and will increase her lead as World No. 1 in the updated rankings.
Ekaterina Alexandrova: After an eight-match winning streak earlier this season, Alexandrova is in excellent form again. She secured two Top 10 victories in Stuttgart (defeating Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula) and has a 6-2 record on clay this season, reaching two semifinals (Charleston and Stuttgart).
Olga Danilovic: Now in the Top 40, Serbia`s Danilovic is another player who has been winning consistently. She has won nine of her last 10 matches, and this past week, she reached her fourth WTA 250 final in Rouen.
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 won 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 wrote that Williams `continues to lead the way. Many female athletes see themselves in Serena. Her success is a victory for all of us.`
`[Williams] has likely influenced millions, and I`m one of them,` World No. 4 Coco Gauff said in Stuttgart. `Not just in tennis but globally, encouraging women to be strong, especially women of color.
`It`s well-deserved. I wasn`t surprised when I saw that. Her photos were great.`
Stat Corner
6: Following another victory in the Stuttgart quarterfinals, Ostapenko maintains a perfect 6-0 record against Iga Swiatek. If both players win their opening two matches next week, they are set to face each other for a seventh time in the Mutua Madrid Open Round of 16.
Madrid draw: Defending champ Swiatek finds Eala, Ostapenko in her section
3: With her Stuttgart victory over top-ranked Sabalenka, Ostapenko has now won three out of four matches against players holding the World No. 1 ranking at the time of their matches. Her other wins include against Garbiñe Muguruza in 2017 Wuhan and Swiatek at the 2023 US Open. Ostapenko`s only defeat against a reigning No. 1 was to Ashleigh Barty at 2021 Miami.
26: After her quarterfinal performance in Stuttgart, Jessica Pegula leads the tour this year in main-draw match wins with 26 victories. Sabalenka is close behind with 25.
Shots of the Week
In an extended rally in Rouen, Suzan Lamens outplayed Bianca Andreescu with an impressive forehand at full stretch:
Rupert Caldwell