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Ons Jabeur put Tunisia on the tennis map with her historic tennis achievements. The former World No. 2 has now revealed the impact her laurels have had on herself as well as on the Tunisians.
After her quarterfinal against Anna Kalinskaya at the Charleston Open, Ons Jabeur sat down for a conversation with Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman and the recently retired Andrea Petkovic.
During the chat, the 2022 US Open and Wimbledon runner-up revealed that her popularity among Tunisians has grown significantly, owing to her remarkable victories over the past year.
“It’s really amazing, you know. The part that changed a lot is, even going to have a coffee or something, people come and support me,” she said.
The 28-year-old further remarked that her compatriots cheer for her even during her day-to-day drives, which makes her feel like the legendary racing driver Michael Schumacher.
“[Even when I am] Driving, people are shouting - Ons. I feel like Schumacher. Driving, you know,” she laughed.
Jabeur stated that the generally soccer-forward nation has been watching her tennis matches of late to encourage her, ever since she became the first Arab and Tunisian to make the finals of Grand Slams.
“It’s really amazing and what’s crazy in Tunisia is, they watch soccer – it’s the national sport in Europe, in Tunisia, and now people watch more tennis than that! Which is crazy!” she reveled.
“You can see in the cafes. They probably don’t know what the score is, but they are still watching. You know, to encourage me and that means a lot to me,” she added.
Ons Jabeur through to the semifinals of Charleston Open 2023
Ons Jabeur hasn’t had an ideal start to her 2023 season. The former World No. 2 faced an early second-round exit at the Australian Open. Following the defeat, she underwent minor surgery, which pushed her to the sidelines throughout WTA’s Middle East tournaments.
Jabeur staged a lackluster comeback in the Sunshine Double, bowing out in her second match at Indian Wells and the opening match in Miami.
However, the World No. 5 is having an impressive start to her clay season campaign. Currently competing at the Charleston Open, last year’s finalist Jabeur is through to the semifinals with victories over Lesia Tsurenko [6-3, 6-3], Caroline Dolehide [6-3, 7-5] and most recently over Anna Kalinskaya [6-0,4-1 (ret.)].
“I love clay. So, that helps. Also, it’s easier on the knee, so it’s also a good advantage for me. But you know, I’m just glad that I’m finding my way. The love of people here really encourages me to do good,” she said in the conversation with the Tennis Channel after her quarterfinal match.
In her pursuit of making back-to-back finals at the Charleston Open, Ons Jabeur will next face World No. 8 Daria Kasatkina.
