QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 12, 2026

Jelena Ostapenko

Press Conference

J. OSTAPENKO/E. Cocciaretto

7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Jelena, welcome. Two strong wins today. How are you feeling after today's performances?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Thank you. Yeah, it was not an easy match in singles. But, yeah, doubles was a bit better. Yeah, really happy to be in the semis.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. The way you ended the match, the singles match, because sometimes you were ahead, and she came back. There was a lot of wind, the frustration was building, but you really kept it together. How proud are you of that?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think she played a really great match. I mean, she had some great wins. Like, she beat very good players here, so I knew it was going to be a tough match.

Yeah, I was playing a little bit against myself as well today. I think what matters, in deciding moments I was fighting, and I managed to win the match.

Q. I think this is one of your most successful tournaments. You mentioned you like playing a lot in Doha. What specifically do you like about this place, or the courts, or why do you think it's your most successful tournament?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think, first of all, great memories. As I said before, everything started here in 2016, my biggest final at that time. I don't know, I just like the vibe here. They are taking really good care of us, and it's all chill and relaxed in a good way. And they start matches later, which I love (laughing). Yeah, I just like it here.

Q. With the first match win being much tougher, it feels like you're getting better with every match. Can you feel that, and what does that feel like being on the court knowing with each match you're improving?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think that's pretty normal. The first-round syndromes for all players is not an easy one to face, especially when you play against someone who you never played. That person probably has nothing to lose, for sure.

I feel like when I get in the game mode, like every match, also playing singles and doubles, I think I play better and better, and I get more used to the courts, the conditions.

Q. Minutes ago we saw you watching Iga's match on the TV. Are you a player who likes to watch the other players playing, and in that moment do you see some specific things about your maybe potential opponent, and are you good at predicting who is going to win the match also?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: It depends. Like, sometimes I really like to watch some matches because there's some really great matches. Sometimes I am not in the mood to watch matches. So when I watch matches, of course I analyze and I take some things what I can use against those players, yeah.

Q. You've been on the tour for a few years now. How has your relationship with losses changed?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Sorry?

Q. Your relationship when you lose, like with losses, do you think you get as impacted now as you did when you came on tour, or do you get over it faster, a loss, over the years?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I never thought and counted about that (laughing). I mean, tennis is such a great sport because almost every next week we have opportunities to play again and again. So if you're going to keep your head in losses, it's not very good for you. You just have to take some lessons from the matches you lose and move forward.

Q. You mentioned that you're working with a psychologist. Is it a sports psychologist, or does that help you with other aspects of life as well?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: This is a secret (laughing). I keep it with me (laughing).

Q. Your partnership with Su-Wei, how is that maybe helping your game and helping you since you started working together?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think she's a great person, and also like great player. I think, as I said before, we have great chemistry playing together. We're having fun on the court, so that's the most important.

Q. Do you find that you use doubles to work on things that you then bring into singles, and if so do you feel that that's been the case this week?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I don't think it was the case this week. I think sometimes I can work on some elements, of course, like in doubles matches for singles. I just enjoy the game. I'm very competitive, so every single match I play I get very competitive.

Q. You said you were playing a bit against yourself today. Curious, what is the discussion inside when it's like this, or do you tell yourself to get out of it?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I just tell myself to fight until the last point, and to not be hard on myself. Yeah, even if I miss, it doesn't matter, move to the next one.