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WATCH: Ostapenko receives hero's welcome in Latvia

The champion returned to Riga with her Roland Garros mini-trophy

ByNina Pantic

Published Jun 13, 2017

Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko jetted home to Riga, Latvia in A-list style. The 20-year-old is the first Grand Slam champion from the small nation and the first unseeded WTA player in the Open era to win the Parisian crown.

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After stunning Simona Halep in the final, Ostapenko's star has risen fast, landing her at No. 12 in the ranks and turning her into a symbol of Latvia.

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On Saturday, she said the fact that she achieved her dream and won a Grand Slam hadn't sunk in yet:

But now, with such a warm welcome from fans both old and new, she'll have to settle into her new role of champion faster.