Jeļena Ostapenko Pulls Out of Rome Showdown Against World No. 6 Anett Kontaveit

Latvian star Jeļena Ostapenko, seeded ninth at this year’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia, has withdrawn from her highly anticipated second-round clash against world No. 6 Anett Kontaveit, according to multiple reports from the tournament. The decision means Kontaveit will receive a walkover into the next round, where she will face the winner of another matchup.

Ostapenko, who entered the Rome clay-court event with a commanding 1,000-point lead in tournament points, had already secured a dominant first-round victory over Italian wildcard Camilla Rosatello. The Latvian’s aggressive play and powerful baseline game had set the tone for her campaign, but her withdrawal from the second round—scheduled for June 5 at the Foro Italico—has left fans and analysts speculating about her fitness and readiness for the remainder of the tournament.

Kontaveit, the world’s sixth-ranked player and a three-time Rome finalist, will now advance automatically to the next round. The Estonian’s path to the quarter-finals hinges on her ability to capitalize on the opportunity, with the clay-court specialist known for her relentless rallies and mental toughness.

Ostapenko’s absence also marks a shift in the tournament’s narrative, as the Rome Open continues to build toward its final week. The event, one of the most prestigious on the WTA calendar, has already seen standout performances from the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek, adding to the anticipation for the remaining rounds.

Updates on Ostapenko’s condition or potential return to the draw will be provided as they become available. For now, Kontaveit’s next opponent will be determined by the results of the other second-round matches, with the tournament’s top seeds still very much in contention.

Follow live results and full draw updates as the Internazionali BNL d’Italia unfolds.

Jeļena Ostapenko’s withdrawal from Rome leaves Anett Kontaveit with a clear path forward, but the tournament’s top seeds remain in the hunt for the title.