"Why shouldn't I use it?" - Jelena Ostapenko dismisses suggestions to play safer after Wimbledon 4R demolition job
Jelena Ostapenko remained defiant in the face of suggestions from a journalist that she should play a safer brand of tennis. Ostapenko, known for her explosive style of play, most recently displayed her attacking prowess against Yulia Putintseva, as she dismantled the Russian in the pair's fourth-round clash at the ongoing 2024 Wimbledon Championships.
Ostapenko reached the fourth round at SW19 after getting the better of Ajla Tomljanovic, Daria Snigur, and Bernarda Pera. She had every reason to worry about facing Putintseva owing to the Russian's brilliant display in the third round against reigning World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. However, the Latvian didn't even take an hour to produce a hitting masterclass that deservedly earned her a 6-2, 6-3 win over Putintseva.
Afterwards, during a press conference, a journalist questioned Ostapenko about the frequent risks she takes with her shots, and if she should continue taking them. The 2017 French Open champion frequently relies on extreme power and aggression to find winners, which often leaves her prone to making errors.
However, despite the apparent drawbacks in her game, Ostapenko was in no mood to entertain the journalist's suggestion. The former WTA World No. 5 answered saying that she is adept at hitting the ball hard, and questioned why she should abandon her most potent weapon on a tennis court.
"I mean, I have the ability to hit the ball hard, so why shouldn't I use it?" Ostapenko cheekily asked the journalist.
The Latvian also said that she was well-prepared to face Swiatek as well, had the World No. 1 won against Putintseva.
"I knew it wouldn’t be an easy match for Iga (against Putintseva in the third round) . Especially because grass isn’t her favorite surface. I was ready for both opponents. I was just tasking to focus on my game and what I have to do," Ostapenko said.
Jelena Ostapenko set for Barbora Krejcikova showdown in Wimbledon 2024 quarterfinals
Jelena Ostapenko's next test at SW19 would be to get past No. 31 seed Barbora Krejcikova. The Czech, who is also a former French Open champion (2021), has so far come out on top against Veronika Kudermetova, Katie Volynets, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and most recently, 11th seed Danielle Collins.
The former World No. 2 has met Jelena Ostapenko on seven occasions previously on the WTA Tour. The Latvian leads the pair's head-to-head 5-2. However, Krejcikova would draw courage from the fact that her only face-off against Ostapenko on the Grand Slam stage went in her favor.
That meeting came at the 2022 Australian Open, where the Czech, seeded fourth at the time, came back from a set down to beat the Latvian in the third round.