Alona Ostapenko Photo: Rob Prange / AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire
Latvian tennis player Alona Ostapenko, playing for everyone 100%, is causing great difficulties for her opponents, Ostapenko says in an interview with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
Ostapenko won the final of the WTA 500 Series in Dubai on Saturday, winning his fifth title in the WTA singles competition. “It was hard to come to Dubai, because I had just played in the semifinals in St. Petersburg and I really didn’t have time to switch from indoor courts to outside. I played with the idea – it will be, it will be. I didn’t expect anything special, but with each match I was more and more confident and confident, ”says Ostapenko. “Each game was difficult, especially the duel against Peter Kvitov. At the same time, I realized that after such a hard fight, good results follow, ”emphasizes the tennis player.
Ostapenko fought to the last point and did not give up even when he did not get as planned. Although she failed to show her game, she tried to return to the match after each failure. “I played very well in the finals, I was in rhythm and I really wanted to win. I think all the games were good, in the end I played against four Grand Slam champions in a row, ”admits Ostapenko.
On Wednesday, he will meet with Czech Barbor Krejchikov in the eighth final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha, who lost 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 a month ago in the third round of the Australian Open. “It was a good game against Krejčīkov until I was in the lead with 6-2, 3-1. I played aggressively and did not give her a chance, but there was a moment of relaxation and she gained time, ”recalls Ostapenko.
Of the eight games in the three sets this season, Ostapenko is the only loser. “Some of these games were particularly difficult and the opponents played very well, but some felt like they were in control and fighting on their own. When I missed the beats, I lost, but when I started playing aggressively, I won. When I become emotional, I play against myself. I’m working on it. In most games, my biggest opponent is myself. At times when the result is similar, I feel I have great potential and reserves. I don’t always feel like I’ve reached my 100%, they’re often 50 or 60%, but I still win games. When I play for everyone 100%, my opponents risk trouble, ”says Ostapenko.
The successful cut of the season allowed Ostapenko to rise to 13th place and approach the top ten. One of the goals of the season was to return to the top ten. “I’m calm in a good way and I don’t think too much about it, I just enjoy tennis. Even now, playing for the third week in a row, I want to keep playing and fighting. I will probably achieve several goals this season, but most of all I want to be confident, ”says Ostapenko.
In 2017, after winning the French Open, she felt a lot of pressure and difficulty, but now she is trying harder to find her best game. My mom says I won the Grand Slam, why am I still feeling pressured? The pressure must be felt by other players who have not yet won Grand Slam tournaments. I should just play and enjoy it. I didn’t feel any pressure before the final in Dubai, I was confident and hungry after the victory, ”emphasizes Ostapenko.
After returning from Australia, Ostapenko has had a very successful season cut. She first reached the semifinals of the WTA 500 in St. Petersburg, but then triumphed in the same race in Dubai last week. She currently has seven consecutive victories in nitrogen.
