THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 29, 2026

Jelena Ostapenko

Press Conference

J. OSTAPENKO/H. Dart

6-3, 3-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Quite a big difference from Court 17 where you were originally and No. 1. When did you find out you were going to play on Court 1?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Actually, like, 10:30 or 10:45 last night. It's good that I was not still sleeping. I was about to go to sleep and then I got a message. But it was nice.

Q. You said in the on-court interview you sometimes get angry that crowds support their local players. How did today's crowd compare with the French crowd against Cornet or the Brazilian crowd in Miami?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, I think those ones are a bit more, how you say, intense probably. At least today, I mean, there were some points where they were clapping for double faults. I was obviously not happy with that.

But, I mean, this is normal, because they are trying to support their local player. I think especially, like, after the first set when Harriet was leading in the second set, I felt like they were into it because they wanted also a third set.

Yeah, but I feel like I use it in a good way. I said "angry," but in a good way. I use it, I try to, how you say, transit?

Q. Translate?

THE MODERATOR: Translation.

Q. Transform?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Transform it to like in a good was, angry-ness into the game. Yeah, transform it into the game.

Q. Is it frustrating to you when you think, I could be winning this more easily? Or is it more, Here we go again I'm used to this?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, first rounds at the Grand Slams are never easy. When I go into a Grand Slam, I play the first round, I never expect there to have an easy match, because, I mean, it's completely different from any other matches.

The deeper you go in the tournament, the better you feel. But, like, those first-round Grand Slam matches syndrome is like for all the players. You can see a lot of players playing tough matches. And I think if you don't play your best but you manage to win it, I mean, it doesn't really matter, roller coaster or not.

But the most important is how you manage it. If you manage to win it and go through it, I think that what matters the most.

Q. I have another question about the crowds. If your level is dipping a little bit, do you sometimes find it more motivating if there is a bit of atmosphere in the crowd, if there is a bit of hostility that you can kind of brush up against, or would you find that situation easier if people were kind of behind you and cheering for you?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think for me it's, like, I know it's a local player, and this is very normal, they are supporting the local player. But for me, I think I kind of proved them they are wrong and they should support another, like me, and I just try to prove it with the game.

But in a good way, not like, you know, as I said, it's very normal they are supporting the local player, but just in a good way. I try to prove, You guys are around next match, you should support me (laughter).

Q. Also, I notice that you have a new sponsor, Tesco, which is a big British supermarket, as one of your kit sponsors. How did that come about?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: It's just for the match, yeah.

Q. In Eastbourne I know you suffered from heatstroke. Are you fully recovered? Are you relieved it's not as hot this week?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think Eastbourne I played three good matches. I think three days in a row it was really, like, hot, so I didn't feel well.

I mean, I didn't want to take a lot of risk, especially before Wimbledon, like coming into such a big tournament.

So I think I'm feeling much better, and I think the decision I made was completely right.