Tennis

Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, has launched a new Instagram account where she sells gently-worn items from her famous closet. The Latvian's on-court stylings are already the stuff of legend as the face of the colorful Latvian brand DK One, and off the court, it's no secret that she enjoys indulging in lavish experiences and luxury fashion houses.But even the most extensive wardrobes need a refresh, and over the weekend, Ostapenko tested the waters by asking fans on her personal Instagram account if they'd be interested in another where she'd showcase and sell the clothes and accessories she no longer wears.The response was a resounding yes (88% of the respondents, to be exact), and @j.o.clothes1997 was born.It's not the first time that Ostapenko has launched a social media channel to share her off-court hobbies and passions with fans. (Who can forget @jelena.ostapenko_baking, the channel launched during the COVID-19 pandemic's stay-at-home order that showcases her prowess in the kitchen?) Her newest account, meanwhile, has built a modest following of more than 1,200 people in just three days online, including Nadiia Kichenok, the sister of Ostapenko's primary doubles partner, Lydmyla and her fellow WTA pro.And while the account is locked, meaning a user needs to request to follow it to see the posts, the Latvian television station TV3 noted that Ostapenko has already put up items from big-name brands like Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and more.In addition to shirts and dresses, the reigning US Open doubles champion's trove includes shoes, bags, belts and other accessories that fans can buy for tens, or even hundreds, of Euros by messaging her directly.Ostapenko has played just one match since she and Kichenok lifted their first Grand Slam trophy together nearly two months ago—a second-round defeat to Marina Stakusic in Guadalajara in late September—but the duo were the first qualifiers for the doubles event at next month's season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh.As Ostapenko gets ready to visit Saudi Arabia for the first time, she might be hoping to have room in her suitcase for some sartorial souvenirs.

Sam Querrey, the former ATP tennis star, has been making waves on social media with his humorous take on Eugenie Bouchard's Instagram antics. Querrey has been posting photos of himself in skimpy swimwear, mimicking Bouchard's penchant for wearing revealing bikinis.Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, has been a good sport about Querrey's antics, calling them "pure gold" and dubbing him "the funniest person in the world." She has even promised to team up with Querrey for a joint photo shoot.Querrey's social media antics have been a hit with fans, racking up thousands of likes on Instagram. He has even teased a follow-up to his first copycat post, which featured Bouchard playing tennis in Saint Tropez while wearing a colorful two-piece bathing suit.Bouchard is looking forward to the sequel and has promised to force Querrey to do it. "I know he's gonna want to as well," she said. "He probably wants it more than me. We'll make it happen."Querrey's social media antics are a testament to his good-natured sense of humor and his ability to poke fun at himself. They have also helped to raise Bouchard's profile and show that she is a good sport about being the subject of humor.

As the second week of Wimbledon unfolds, two former grass-court stars, Eugenie Bouchard and Sam Querrey, have engaged in a playful Instagram photo shoot that has delighted the internet.Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, sparked the fun with a series of outdoor photos in a gold-chained green string bikini. She captioned the post, "Sundays are for yard work," as she posed on a lawn chair, held a garden hose, and raked leaves.Querrey, the 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist, was inspired by Bouchard's post and decided to create his own photo montage. With his wife and children away on vacation, he had ample time to don a green swimsuit and mimic Bouchard's poses, complete with garden-hose water pressure.The results were a viral sensation, with fans, current, and former tennis players alike expressing their amusement. Reilly Opelka commented, "This went platinum," while Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez couldn't contain their laughter. Andreescu simply added, "OMG."Querrey credited PPA pro Wes Burrows for his artistic direction, saying he "did a stunning job of finding my good angles." Bouchard responded with good humor, saying, "Let's do a joint photo shoot next time."The playful exchange between Bouchard and Querrey highlights their camaraderie and the lighthearted spirit that exists within the tennis community. It also serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished athletes can find joy in the simplest of things.