Jelena Ostapenko talks fashion, favorite movies after strong start in Rome

ROME, Italy—From her tennis to her wardrobe, Jelena Ostapenko wanted to stand out this clay-court season.

“I like to mix colors, bright colors with darker ones,” she said after donning a black-pink DK ONE ensemble at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. “The previous dress was orange, and I think that wouldn’t look as good on clay because then it’s orange with orange.”

Ostapenko’s style has turned heads since partnering with the Latvian clothing brand in 2022, opting for eye-popping styles that match her high-octane game.

“It’s never easy when you’re first starting something,” she reflected, promising a variation on the current kit in time for Roland Garros. “Latvia is such a small country and they don’t have the same opportunities as a big country, so we have to make the most of what we get.

“I feel like it’s getting better because at first we had some very simple dresses, now we’re trying skirts and different things.”

Though she gives input on the kits she wants to wear, the 2017 Roland Garros champion only takes inspiration from the runway—though she has lukewarm opinions on the current fashion trends.

“I like their shoes,” she says of Balenciaga, “but some of their stuff is really crazy. It’s all oversized, very oversized. I like oversized stuff but some of it is too much; it’s all unisex and oversized, so the fit is a little bit strange. I like Dior’s stuff, and also some less-high brands, like Cinq à Sept or Alice and Olivia. I do have some stuff from Zara too.

“I think a woman needs good shoes and a good bag, but the other stuff you can really mix. I never buy something because of the brand. If I like something, I buy it.”

Ostapenko’s preferred of high- and low-brow extends to her Netflix queue, which doesn’t include Break Point.

“I like historical documentaries,” she said. “When I want my head to rest, I’ll watch a comedy or a funny movie. The Hangover is my favorite movie because it’s so funny and you don’t have to think much. You can just enjoy it and you’re always smiling by the end because they’re doing such crazy things!”

Just not too crazy, she warns.

“I hate fantasy, superhero movies, any non-realistic movie. I really hate those. Obviously, you know that can’t happen in real life, like a huge monster is going to come and attack people!”

These days, real life is good enough for Ostapenko, who is good friends with fellow Russian speakers Potapova and Daria Kasatkina, making frequent cameos in the latter’s popular *What The Vlog?* YouTube series.

“With Dasha, I don’t know why we weren’t friends in juniors. But that’s in the past, and now we’re good friends,” she said, squashing their once highly-memed beef. “Nastya is a little bit younger than me, and so I got to know her later. Dasha, I’ve known since we were younger because we’re the same age. But they’re both really nice girls, and we’re able to spend some time going for dinner.”

After a bowl of pasta carbonara and a scoop (or two) of Nutella gelato, Ostapenko is all business and ready for a third-round meeting with Sara Sorribes Tormo.