"Serena Williams knows how to impact people" - Jelena Ostapenko expresses admiration for American great's personality and fashion game

Jelena Ostapenko is a fan of Serena Williams' personality and more so of the American tennis legend's fashion game on the court. Ostapenko praised the now-retired Williams for confidently pulling off her many famous match outfits throughout her career and for leaving an impact on others.

Ostapenko herself is known for her on-court outfits, not shying away from sporting unique color combinations and designs during matches. But Serena Williams, in many ways, set the tone for fashion on the women's circuit, with her denim skirt look, her black studded pleated skirt with gladiator boots look, and her all-class white trench coat for Wimbledon, just a few among the many examples of her popular outfits over the years.

Speaking about standing out with a unique fashion game, Ostapenko praised the 23-time Grand Slam champion, while also lauding Williams' personality.

"I love characters like Serena (Williams), such a big personality she is. Even the way she dresses on the court," Jelena Ostapenko said in an interview with Clay Tenis Magazine.

Ostapenko stressed that Williams was even able to impress with her "crazy outfits" over the course of her illustrious career, further highlighting the impact she has been able to have on players and people in general.

"Sometimes she wears crazy outfits but it looks really good. Good on her, she knows how to impact people," Ostapenko conveyed.

Australian Open quarterfinalist Ostapenko last competed in this week's Qatar Open, losing to World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in a three-set thriller in the Round of 16.

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"Some girls try to always be the same like the other ones" - Jelena Ostapenko on fellow WTA players' personalities

Jelena Ostapenko also shared her views on the personalities of her colleagues on the WTA tour, opining that many players are too similar and always try to be like some of the other players on tour. The Latvian believes being unique and true to one's self is important, suggesting that she always strives to be herself even when on tour.

"I think some girls are maybe too similar and they try to always be the same like the other ones. I think everyone has to be special, everyone has to be themselves," Ostapenko expressed.

On those lines, it is also important for Ostapenko to dress differently during matches and stand out as compared to other players. The former French Open champion feels that many players often dress similarly even when facing each other, and it can get very confusing to play against someone wearing a similar outfit.

"The most important thing is that I feel comfortable and that I don’t look the same as the others girls look. You can see sometimes girls go on the court and they are wearing the same outfits," Ostapenko said.

"That’s a little bit… l don’t know, tough to play against a player that wears your exact same clothes."

While Ostapenko's singles campaign at the 2023 Qatar Open ended early, she reached the doubles final alongside Lyudmyla Kichenok, losing to Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.