Jelena Ostapenko isn’t exactly known for holding back — whether it’s on court with a racket or off it with a mic. And now, she’s spilling some very real, very relatable tea about her all-time tennis fave: Serena Williams.
Sure, everyone respects Serena’s 23 Grand Slam titles and her iconic reign of power, but Ostapenko says it’s something deeper that draws her in. “I love how real she is,” Ostapenko confessed. “She’s strong, she speaks her mind — she’s not pretending to be anyone else.”
Translation? Ostapenko isn’t fangirling over Serena for her serve — she’s crushing hard on Serena’s energy. The no-nonsense attitude, the unapologetic confidence, the zero time for critics vibe? It’s giving boss-level inspiration, and Ostapenko is here for it.
This revelation shouldn’t shock anyone who’s watched Jelena in action. The 2017 French Open champ has always been a bit of a firecracker herself — quick to celebrate, quicker to argue a line call, and never afraid to let her opponent know what’s up.
In many ways, Ostapenko sees herself in Serena. Not in the GOAT résumé (yet), but in the swagger, the fire, the don’t-mess-with-me aura.
So while some players tiptoe through interviews with bland praise, Jelena went full honest mode — and gave Serena the queen-level shoutout she deserves.
Because let’s be honest: when you’re as fierce as Ostapenko, you don’t idolize anyone… unless they’re Serena.
