Tunisia’s Jabeur sets new goals, hopes to break into top 20 rankings

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Basking in glory after becoming the first Arab female player to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam at the Australian Open last month, Tunisia’s rising star Ons Jabeur has upgraded her goals for 2020.

Jabeur surprised everyone in her run-up to the quarter-final of the Australian Open where she got the better of China’s Wang Qiang on the way before losing to eventual champion Sofia Kenin.

Her performance at the opening Grand Slam of the year is now a big motivation for the Arab player. The world No 45 – the highest ranking ever reached by an Arab woman – will face World No. 18 Alison Riske in her opening match.

“I have been proud of what I have achieved as a player particularly since the past few months. I now have a new team with me and they’ve done a great job during pre-season. Based on this, I have set fresh goals for 2020 as I know I can work harder and play better. I want to be in the top-20 for sure by the end of the year,” Jabeur added.

The Tunisian received a wildcard entry into the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

“It’s very special for me to be here in (Dubai), to play in an Arab country,” said Jabeur.

“I’ll try to do my best to play well here. Thank you for the wildcard and this opportunity, I’m really happy. They told me no pressure, you just have to win the tournament!” Tournament Director Salah Tahlak said: “We are very happy to offer Ons Jabeur a wild card after not only her wonderful performance at the Australian Open but throughout 2019. No opponent will take her lightly.”

The following week after the magical run at the Australian Open, the 25-year-old was at the receiving end for playing against Israel in the 2020 Fed Cup tournament.

Tunisia won the tie, and not everyone was pleased, with the Tunisian Foreign Ministry releasing a statement for the team violating the historic commitments of Tunisia towards the Palestinian cause.

“I don’t want to talk about it [the issue]. As sportspersons, we are expected to play,” Jabeur remarked at the draw on Saturday.

Selima Sfar is the only other Tunisian woman to win a match at a Grand Slam after she reached the second round at Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the US Open in the 2000s.

Meanwhile, Jabeur said she hoped to inspire young people across the Arab world.

“I’m trying to inspire many (of the) young generation back home either in Tunisia or the Arab world, especially in Africa, which is amazing,” Jabeur said.

“I mean, it’s not impossible. I made it. Like I said before, I’ve been practising in Tunisia from the age of three through 16 or 17.”

The first Tunisian woman to win a main-draw match at the Australian Open said she had received messages from people watching in the early hours back home.

“I’m receiving a lot of messages, especially people waking up at 5 am in the morning to watch my match. I’m really proud,” Jabeur said.

“Hopefully they can still watch me and follow more, not just in the Grand Slam but the other tournaments. It will be really amazing. I really hope I can give a good example.”