Jelena Ostapenko hooks fan up with US Open tickets to watch Iga Swiatek upset

TENNIS CHANNEL LIVE: Ostapenko made one lucky tennis fan's night when she secured him a seat on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

NEW YORK—Through four victories at the 2023 US Open, Jelena Ostapenko has giveth and taketh away, but gave back in a big way to one lucky fan on Sunday.

Two days after getting one unruly spectator thrown out of her Court 17 thriller against Bernarda Pera, the former Roland Garros champion rewarded one of her most loyal fans at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets.

Superfan Jonah Soble (@JonahTennis on X/Twitter) shared screenshots of his Instagram exchange with Ostapenko, to whom he has often sent well wishes via direct messages. The two have taken selfies in the past, most memorably after her second-round thriller against Elena Avanesyan as Ostapenko stayed long after the Court 17 lights were shut off for autographs and pictures.

“I love that she doesn't care what people think,” said Soble. “It's my favorite thing about her.

“I lost my voice during her second round, and told her coaches during the match to cheer more like me.”

In between preparing for her round of 16 clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, the No. 20 seed ensured the Penko Army would be in full force on Ashe and supplied Soble with a ticket for what would be the biggest upset of the tournament: a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 stunner over the defending champion.

Soble shared live updates from his seat throughout the match, including some clips as the match started to turn towards the fan favorite.

After playing on the outer courts throughout the first week, Ostapenko was as pleased to be back on a big stage as Soble was to watch her there.

“I just honestly love to play on big courts with full stadiums and a lot of crowd,” she said after improving to a 4-0 head-to-head over Swiatek. “It's really the thing that we are working for and playing for. I think it's a great atmosphere.”

Based in Arizona, Soble will be leaving New York before Ostapenko’s quarterfinal encounter with No. 6 seed Coco Gauff, which means there’s at least one free ticket available for another lucky fan on Tuesday.

Take it from Soble: “Watching her live at the US Open has been a dream come true.”