Jelena Ostapenko’s 2024 season was marked by strong highs and inconsistent lows. It will be fascinating to see whether Ostapenko can make a return to the Top 10 in 2025, especially after the Latvian was able to do so this year. LWOT takes a look at her 2024 season.
Jelena Ostapenko: 2024 Season Review
Trophy Town, and Losses to Azarenka
Ostapenko started the 2024 season by losing to Victoria Azarenka in Brisbane, in what was arguably one of the best matches of the year. She then won the seventh title of her career in Adelaide at a WTA 500 event. Ostapenko battled through consecutive three-setters and eventually swept Daria Kasatkina 6-3 6-2 in the final.
Unfortunately for Ostapenko, it was deja vu at the Australian Open, as she lost 6-1 7-5 to Azarenka in the third round.
Ostapenko’s form continued to flourish on the indoor hard courts. At the Linz WTA 500 event, she won a thrilling 3-6 6-4 7-6(7) opener against Clara Tauson. She then wouldn’t drop a set for the rest of the tournament, defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova to win her second title of the season.
Mid-Season Dip in Form
Early losses then became a trend for Ostapenko by March, who at this point was ranked inside the Top 10 for the first time since September 2018. Many of her losses were one-sided across events like Doha, Miami, Stuttgart and Madrid.
It seemed like Ostapenko’s form was picking up later in the clay court season, as she reached the quarterfinals of the Italian Open. At the French Open, Ostapenko, the 2017 champion, lost to Tauson in three sets. Since she shockingly won her lone Grand Slam title, Ostapenko has yet to make it to the second week of the tournament.
The Latvian’s final positive in 2024 (in singles) came at Wimbledon. She reached her sixth career quarterfinal at a Grand Slam, losing to Barbora Krejčíková 6-4 7-6 (4), the eventual champion. In her four winning matches prior to the quarterfinals, Ostapenko did not lose more than three games in a set.
Late Season
Ostapenko lost early at the Olympics to Camila Osorio, as surprising losses began to occur. After Wimbledon, she compiled a 1-5 record. Injuries became a cause for concern, as Ostapenko dealt with an abdominal injury.
It’s important to note that much of Ostapenko’s 2024 success came on the doubles court. Alongside Ukranian Lyudmyla Kichenok, she reached the Australian Open doubles final and won titles in Brisbane and Eastbourne. But her biggest success story was winning the US Open title for her first Grand Slam doubles crown. The duo won 6-4 6-3 in the final against Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai.
What’s next?
Ostapenko may be arguably a veteran on tour as 2025 begins–it’ll now be eight years since her meteoric rise to the top of the WTA Tour in 2017. She’ll always seek to overpower opponents with her groundstrokes, but she’ll have to control her consistency to have a solid season.
Look for Ostapenko to try and make a big run in a Grand Slam if she can play solid tennis in the big moments. And on the doubles court, could Jelena Ostapenko become a powerhouse next year? She’s currently ranked No. 6 in doubles and has the power to overwhelm doubles specialists who rely on finesse and touch.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
