Jelena Ostapenko`s powerful and fast-paced style is well-known in tennis, but in Stuttgart, she shared that her love for speed extends beyond the court.
After winning her match against Dayana Yastremska, who had to retire due to illness, Ostapenko discussed her fearless nature in an interview. She enjoys rollercoasters, especially the `crazy ones` for the adrenaline rush. At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, the conversation naturally shifted to cars.
`I love driving fast,` Ostapenko admitted. `I`ve even taken extreme driving courses where they teach drifting and similar skills.`
The Stuttgart tournament famously awards a Porsche to the champion each year. Ostapenko already owns a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, specifically because of its speed. When asked about speed limits, the former Roland Garros champion laughed and said, `I hope the Latvian police aren`t watching!`
Ostapenko`s victory was somewhat bittersweet as Yastremska is her friend and doubles partner for the week. They are playing doubles together for only the third time, their first being the 2019 Beijing final. Despite Yastremska`s lower doubles ranking limiting their opportunities to team up, they recently won their first-round match against Nastasja Schunk and Ella Seidel.
For Ostapenko, the best part of partnering with Yastremska is the doubled fearlessness they bring to the court.
`I think some doubles players lack this fearlessness,` Ostapenko explained. `When you just go for your shots without worrying too much, that`s a good thing. Singles players tend to be more fearless than doubles players, who can sometimes become stressed in crucial moments.`
`I see no downsides to our partnership. If we have an off day, we have an off day, but we`ll always try our best to have a good day!` she added.
Their continued progress in doubles depends on Yastremska`s recovery. Ostapenko expressed her support for Yastremska, emphasizing the importance of health.
`Health is the priority,` she stated. `It always comes first, above everything else.`
In singles, Ostapenko`s next opponent will be either No. 7 seed Emma Navarro or Beatriz Haddad Maia.
