“I’m more mature,” Jelena Ostapenko unleashes the “fighter” spirit this 2024 season as she clinches a glorious victory at the Linz Open

The former French Open winner proud of herself after winning in Linz as she picks her second trophy of the season.

“I’m more mature,” Jelena Ostapenko unleashes the “fighter” spirit this 2024 season as she clinches a glorious victory at the Linz Open

Jelena Ostapenko (Credits: Archysport)

World No. 11 Jelena Ostapenko is off to a great start in the 2024 season. The Latvian has played four tournaments so far winning the title in two of them. She won her latest at the 2024 Upper Austria Ladies Linz, a WTA-500 event.

Ostapenko, the first seed, was up against second-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova in the finals. She beat the Russian comfortably winning the finals 6-2, 6-3. It is her 13th win of the season having lost only two matches so far. The title in Linz is her 16th career title.

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Ostapenko reached her first Tour final in 2015 but her maiden title came in 2017 at the French Open. She had defeated Simona Halep in three sets. Following her Paris win, she won her second title of the season at the Korean Open defeating Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia.

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Overjoyed with the title, the former World No. 5 talked about how difficult it was to win in Linz. Fresh from a third-round defeat at the 2024 Australian Open, she had to gather herself and fight. She dropped a set only once, in her first-round win against Clara Tauson when she also saved a match point. 

The first match was really hard to play. I didn’t really get used to the conditions, just came from Australia one day and I had to play. So it was very tough conditions. I never give up, I’m such a fighter. I’m just happy with the way I’m playing this year. I feel like I’m more mature and more confident with my game.
said Ostapenko speaking with the WTA media.

After 7 years, Ostapenko has won two titles in the same season. Her first title of the season came at the 2024 Adelaide Open where she defeated Daria Kasatkina in the finals in straight-sets. It was also a WTA-500 event.

Jelena Ostapenko in love with the Linz trophy

Ostapenko is one of the most candid players out there. She never shies away from expressing her opinion. It might be against an opponent, the chair umpire, or even the spectators at times. But for the trophy awarded to her after winning Linz, she had nothing but praise for the tournament for the trophy’s design.

Jelena Ostapenko
Jelena Ostapenko poses with the 2024 Linz trophy (Credits: Eurosport)

Of the 16 trophies that she has won so far, including the French Open, she had a different praise for the Linz trophy. She even took to her Instagram account to appreciate the piece of silverware. 

I’m really happy to get such a beautiful trophy. I think it’s one of the most beautiful trophies I’ve ever won.
said Ostapenko praising the trophy.

With the title, the Latvian No. 1 inches closer to re-entering the Top-10. She is currently behind Karolina Muchova who has 3520 ranking points to her name. Ostapenko, on the other hand, is 11th having traded places with Barbora Krejcikova who moves down to 12th.

With 3473 points to Ostapenko’s name, only 47 points keep her out of the Top-10. She was supposed to play at the Mubadala Open in Abu Dhabi but has withdrawn her name at the last minute. The Latvian should however return to action in Doha where she will chase her maiden WTA-1000 title.

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