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Jelena Ostapenko gives her honest feelings about how Serena Williams behaved on court when she was playing tennis

Split image of Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia reacts while playing against Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the fourth round on Day Eight of the Internazion...
Credit: Robert Prange/Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images
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Jelena Ostapenko is one of the more notably charismatic on-court players on the WTA Tour.

Ostapenko won the Stuttgart title last month, beating top two seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek to do so.

The Latvian has a very dominant record over the five-time major winner in particular, with Ostapenko unbeaten against Swiatek having played her six times.

Former world number one Naomi Osaka recently called Ostapenko her favourite player, but she can often divide opinion due to her on-court behaviour.

Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2025 - Day Eight. Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia reacts while playing against Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the fourth round on Day Eight of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia at Foro Italico.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Jelena Ostapenko gives her honest feelings about Serena Williams

In an interview with Roland Garros ahead of the clay court major, Ostapenko was asked about her facial expressions on court.

Ostapenko responded by suggesting that she has no intention of changing her approach, and does not enjoy watching players who do not show their emotions.

“I honestly always like in general, when I watch sports, I always liked emotional people, the people who always show and share their emotions,” said Ostapenko.

“I don’t really like people who are just walking and just not showing much emotions, because for me, it’s so boring to watch those people doing sports. So I’m really like myself always on the court. And I think that’s what people like about me.”

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2025 - Day 5
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

One WTA player in particular who was known for expressing their emotions on court was Serena Williams, sometimes resulting in criticism.

However, Ostapenko believes that Williams is the best in that department and admitted that she was a big fan of the now retired 23-time Grand Slam champion.

“I think Serena is the best so far,” said Ostapenko. “She’s like all those emotions, I love them.”

2020 Fed Cup - Latvia v USA. Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Serena Williams of USA shake hands after Williams defeated Ostapenko of Latvia in two sets during the 2020 Fed Cup qualifier between USA and Latvia at Angel of the Winds Arena on February 07, 2020 in Everett, Washington.
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Can Jelena Ostapenko challenge for the Roland Garros title this year?

Not only is Ostapenko an extremely expressive player, but she is also a Grand Slam champion in both singles and doubles.

Her singles major triumph came as a teenager at Roland Garros in 2017, and it seems that Ostapenko believes she can challenge in Paris once again.

“I mean, for sure,” said Ostapenko. “I always knew I can play well on clay court and I know how to move and slide. I just need to focus on the things I have to do.”

However, the world number 21 will have to do something differently to recent years, with Ostapenko unable to go past the third round of Roland Garros since the year she won the title.

YearOstapenko’s Roland Garros Result
2016First Round
2017Won the title
2018First Round
2019First Round
2020Third Round
2021First Round
2022Second Round
2023Second Round
2024Second Round

Ostapenko and the rest of the WTA field will discover their fates when the Roland Garros draw is made on Thursday May 22.

The main draw of Roland Garros will get underway on Sunday May 25.