Jelena Ostapenko, Ozeki

Ostapenko

Jelena Ostapenko became the 37th female Ozeki (=Champion) of the open era today by reaching the quarterfinals of the 2017 Wimbledon tournament, which follows on her maiden grand slam victory at the 2017 French Open. At only just 20 years of age, this is a rapid advance to the senior sanysku (= championship) ranks (the Ozeki list will be updated once the tournament has been completed). Ostapenko - who prefers to go by "Alona" rather than "Jelena" as first name - could even make it to Yokozuna (=Great Grand Champion) at Wimbledon if she wins the tournament. Moving from nowhere to Yokozuna within two slams would be a first in open era history.

Elsewhere, Ostapenko's predecessor as rookie Ozeki, Karolina Pliskova, exited early and goes kadoban (=she has to reach the quarterfinals at the US Open to defend Ozeki rank). Angelique Kerber exited in round 4 and therefore foregoes the chance to return to Ozeki for now. By contrast, Simona Halep still has a chance to regain her former rank, for this she would have to beat Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals. Konta, Coco Vandeweghe, and ex-Sekiwake (=Junior Champion 1) Garbine Muguruza all will retutn to at least Komusubi (=Junior Champion 2) after Wimbledon. Veteran Yokozuna Venus Williams made another grand slam quarterfinal, contributing to a nice and intriguing mix of experience and youth among the final eight ladies at Wimbledon.

In the men's tournament, the Yokozuna - also known as the "Big 4" - continue to dominate, with one exception: Dai-Yokozuna (=Great Grand Champion) Rafael Nadal exited in a spectacular five-setter against unheralded veteran Gilles Muller. Muller's quarterfinal opponent will be ex-Ozeki Marin Cilic, who has already secured a return to the sanyaku ranks to at least Komusubi.