PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 21, 2025

Jelena Ostapenko

Press Conference

J. OSTAPENKO/A. Sabalenka

6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Jelena, congratulations. Just talk us through how well you played that match and how excited you are to win that beautiful car.

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Thank you. Yeah, it was amazing match. I think I played really well today, and I was into the match. Yeah, this car is amazing. Really nice.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Well, it's, like, last three days where you were simply amazing. I asked you to rate your performance in the previous rounds. I'm not even asking today because I think you will give yourself the maximum. I don't know. Have you ever, like, when you woke up this morning, like, did you felt you were feeling so confident? Really, you were amazing.

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Honestly, I didn't tell to anyone, I was keeping it to myself, but I felt very confident since the first day. I had, like, strange -- not strange but in a good way, strange feeling.

When I came here, I felt like something is going to happen this week. I pretty much felt that I can win this tournament.

Q. Can you understand why you had that feeling, or was like sort of happen...

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Because I think I'm improving day by day and I'm playing better and better. Yeah, I think I deserve it (smiling).

Q. Congrats. What was the difference between -- because your head-to-head was not good against Aryna. What was the difference today to the former matches?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, obviously I played her a few times, but I analyzed those matches and I knew what I had to do different today. I think I was more confident and my true player today than before.

Q. You always thank the crowd. I think you might think there is something special about Stuttgart. How can you describe it? How can you compare it with other tournaments?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I honestly like this tournament a lot. It's a really nice atmosphere every time I step on the center court.

Just in general, I think this tournament is very, very well organized. For me, it's always really nice to come here.

Q. I just wonder, as like some drivers are going to give a name to their cars, so I wonder if you're also going to name the car in some way?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I actually never did that, so I'm not sure (smiling).

Q. Are you about to celebrate? Do you think you will need some days off?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I honestly have not much days off, because I have to play on Thursday, I guess, in Madrid. I will travel today to Madrid and then probably practice tomorrow or day after tomorrow and then just be ready for the match.

Q. What kind of a car driver are you? Very fast like you play tennis, or...

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Almost (smiling). I mean, of course when I'm driving, you know, on the roads, I try to be by the rules. But sometimes I go to these extreme driving lessons, and there I have some freedom (smiling).