In the past season, our tennis player very steadily collected rating points. In the WTA ranking, the only significant drop was when the big points were not defended in the Arab tournaments. “You have to focus on the big tournaments, on the Grand Slam – you have to be in good shape there, but everything else should be seen as training,” informs the Latvian tennis specialist.
Stass Hmarskis, who once coached the former number 13 of the ATP ranking, Ukrainian Alexander Dolgopolov, remains as the head coach. Her usual partner in doubles will be Ludmila Kichenoka – the Wimbledon champion understands that Ostapenko’s priority is singles.
Ostapenko is 4-0 in head-to-head matches against Poland’s Iga Swiontek, who ends the year as world number one for the second year in a row. “Alona is comfortable playing against her. She also tries to attack, but those blows are not as strong and sharp as Alona’s,” reveals coach Jakovleva. “Sviontek needs time [spēles lasīšanai], but Alona does not give her time. Everything flies back very fast and hard, so you can’t figure out what and how.”
This year was Ostapenko’s second best season after the final ranking – she finished higher only in 2017. Over the past four years, the final rank has gotten better and better: #44 (2020), #28 (2021), #18 (2022), #13 (2023). Yakovleva explains this with the injury suffered in 2018, which had consequences in 2019 as well, but then there was an upswing.
Immediately after Christmas, I will fly to Australia, where the new season will start with the Brisbane “WTA 500”, preparing for the first “Grand Slam” of the year.
2023-12-18 22:25:00
#Ostapenko #continue #cooperation #Hmarski #Kichenok #year #Tennis #Sportacentrs.com
