"I want to go a little further, inspire many more generations" - Ons Jabeur on reaching Wimbledon final
Ons Jabeur reflected on the legacy she's trying to leave for future generations of Tunisian and Arab players after beating Tatjana Maria on Thursday to reach the Wimbledon final.
In the battle between two first-time Grand Slam semifinalists, the 27-year-old Jabuer made a brisk start. She took the opening set for the loss of just two games, but the 34-year-old Maria came roaring back into the contest to force a decider.
However, Jabeur reasserted her ascendancy in the contest, dropping only one game to become the first Tunisian, Arab and African player to reach a Major final.
Ons the way to a first Grand Slam final 🇹🇳
@Ons_Jabeur defeats Tatjana Maria 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 https://t.co/tnNObItxw3
In her press conference, Jabuer said that she's proud to put Tunisia on the tennis map. However, she wants to show to Arab and African players that they can also reach the upper echelons of the game.
“It is always about Tunisia in some way, but I want to go a little further, inspire many more generations," said Jabeur. "Tunisia is connected to the Arab world, to the African continent, that is where we want more players to come out."
She hopes to inspire a new generation of players to believe in themselves that they can also make it big in the game.
"It's not like in Europe or other places, where I want to see more players is in my country, in the Middle East, in Africa," added the Tunisian. "I think we never believed enough that we can do it, but now I'm trying to show it to them, I hope people get inspired."
"I know my game could really upset her" - Ons Jabeur on her final opponent Elena Rybakina
Ons Jabeur will be on the cusp of more history on Saturday as she strives to become the first Tunisian, Arab and African player to win a Major title.
However, she'll have to contend with Elena Rybakina, who took out 2019 champion Simona Halep in straight sets in the other semifinal. The Russian-born Kazakh will also look for her Grand Slam breakthrough.
Analyzing her opponent's game, Jabeur observed that Rybakina serves well and hits the ball hard. So, she'll try to take the pace off the ball to upset Rybakina's rhythm and throw her off-balance.
The final is set.
It's Jabeur vs. Rybakina for the Ladies' Singles title 🏆
#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 https://t.co/tLovGbxPfo
“She serves very well, so my main goal will be to take away as many balls as possible, make her work hard on every punch," said Jabeur. "I know she can hit the ball really hard and hit a lot of game winners. I know my game could really upset her."
Ons Jabeur hopes to stay true to her game style regardless of Rybakina's penchant for winning points 'in two shots'.
"I'll try to focus a lot on myself, hit a lot of slices, make her run. I know those kind of players usually win the points in two shots, so I will have to continue with my style and do what I usually do on the court,” she concluded.
Interestingly, Ons Jabeur's clash with Elena Rybakina will mark the first time in the Open Era a ladies singles Grand Slam final will be contested by two finalists not from the USA, Europe or Australia. So whoever wins on Saturday, more history is set to be created.