Jelena Ostapenko breaks silence on Latvian government suspending her funding, says she will not quit tennis

Jelena Ostapenko has finally spoken out on reports of the Latvian government cutting her state funding. Ostapenko remarked that although the situation has made it difficult to continue playing, she will fight it out since she is a professional player.

A few days ago, the Latvian Olympic Committee held a meeting with the Ministry of Education and Culture. They decided that the funding of Latvian athletes would be suspended if they participated in sporting events that were attended by Russian and Belarusian players.

Apart from Ostapenko, the Latvian athletes who have had to bear the brunt include tennis players Daniela Vismane and Darja Semenistaja as well as a couple of cyclists. The 25th-ranked Ostapenko, who beat Simona Halep to win the 2017 French Open, had to let go of around 1,700 euros in February.

Speaking to the Women's Tennis Blog recently, Ostapenko stated that she has no control over the tournaments which are organized by the WTA. She added that the government's decision had only left her with the option of quitting.

"Of course, they contacted me, but to be honest, I can't really influence anything because I don't organize tournaments," Jelena Ostapenko said. "The WTA organizes these tournaments and I don't have the opportunity to play elsewhere. Basically, it means that I cannot play in any tournament. I have to quit tennis. I will not do that because I am a tennis player and this is my sport. Unfortunately, that is the reality."

The Latvian government's decision has come in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is yet to end. Authorities in Latvia have also declared that only players who have represented the country in tournaments like the Billie Jean King Cup and the World Cycling Championships would be given financial aid. Russians and Belarusians are currently banned from participating in such events.

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Jelena Ostapenko loses to Petra Kvitova in BNP Paribas Open 2023 R3

Petra Kvitova (L) and Jelena Ostapenko

Jelena Ostapenko, the 24th seed, received a bye in the first round of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Although she faced a stern challenge from World No. 44 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the second round, the Latvian prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Her third-round clash with 15th-ranked Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic was a rare sight, with the two players handing each other bagels in the first two sets. Ultimately, the two-time Wimbledon champion beat Ostapenko 0-6, 6-0, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Jessica Pegula.