Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko has sparked surprise among tennis fans by selling her personal possessions for as little as £4, despite having earned more than £14 million in career prize money.
From Grand Slam glory to online sales
The Latvian tennis star, who famously defeated Simona Halep to win the 2017 French Open at just 20 years old, has continued to build her fortune through an unexpected side business. Through a private secondary Instagram profile, Ostapenko aims to give a second life to belongings she no longer needs, ranging from fragrance samples to household items.
Ostapenko's entrepreneurial spirit became particularly evident when she made headlines for two very different reasons on the same day. After flaunting her brand new Porsche Macan Turbo - valued at approximately £100,000 and won as part of her prize for defeating world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Porsche Grand Prix in April - she promptly promoted a post selling storage boxes for just £4 each.
Substantial earnings meet savvy selling
The 28-year-old athlete's career winnings stand at an impressive £14 million from tennis alone, not including sponsorship deals and commercial agreements. Even in 2025, despite early exits in her last three singles tournaments, she has managed to earn approximately £1.7 million from on-court performances.
Her recent success extends beyond singles play, having teamed up with Hsieh Su-wei in doubles at this year's WTA Finals in Riyadh. The duo reached the semi-finals before being defeated by eventual runners-up Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani.
Luxury lifestyle meets frugal habits
Despite her modest online sales, Ostapenko is clearly not struggling financially. She has been spotted enjoying a well-deserved break at the luxurious Baglioni Resort in the Maldives, where all-inclusive stays cost a minimum of £900 per night.
This contrast between high-end luxury and small-scale selling demonstrates that her online marketplace activities are driven by business savvy rather than necessity. Ostapenko's approach shows that even multi-millionaire athletes can practice financial prudence by finding value in items they might otherwise discard.
Her willingness to sell modestly priced items sets her apart from many fellow sports stars and proves that no possession is too small for the former Grand Slam champion to market to her supporters.
