She was a former Roland Garros champion who overcame challenges to achieve a milestone not seen since Serena Williams

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Jelena Ostapenko recently claimed the WTA Stuttgart title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, achieving a milestone unmatched since Serena Williams.

Born on June 8, 1997, in Riga, Latvia, Jelena Ostapenko’s journey to tennis stardom began early. She turned professional in 2012 but truly announced herself in 2017 when she shocked the world by winning Roland Garros, defeating then-world No. 3 Simona Halep.

That stunning victory marked her as one to watch, though her career since has been marked by both highs and lows. In 2025, however, Ostapenko has found her groove, delivering standout performances throughout the season.

Recently, she captured the WTA Stuttgart title with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 win over Aryna Sabalenka, boosting her WTA ranking significantly. Known for her fiery personality, Ostapenko has faced her share of controversies, including clashes with other players, such as a heated exchange with Elena Rybakina in Rome.

Reflecting on Roland Garros glory

Just two days after her 20th birthday, Ostapenko secured her career-defining Roland Garros title. Her three-set victory over Simona Halep (3-6, 6-4, 6-3) remains a watershed moment. Reflecting on that time, Ostapenko admitted, “My life changed when I won in Paris. I needed time to adapt. It wasn’t easy because I was 20. It’s very difficult to get used to so much attention and pressure”.

Battles with injuries and a comeback story

After her 2017 triumph, injuries and inconsistency hampered Ostapenko’s progress. She struggled to maintain her form and went title-less in 2018. But by 2019, she was back, claiming the Eastbourne title on grass—a testament to her resilience.