By Rohith Nair
(Reuters) – Ons Jabeur had a picture of the Wimbledon trophy as her phone’s wallpaper last year and although she lost out on the Rosewater Dish to Elena Rybakina, she is still allowing herself to dream ahead of a rematch in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
Jabeur was one set away from becoming the first African woman and Arab player to win a Grand Slam singles title before Rybakina mounted a fierce comeback.
The Tunisian, nicknamed the ‘Minister of Happiness’, admitted to feeling ’empty’ and ’emotionally exhausted’ as she processed the painful loss in the following weeks.
But she has since pulled up her socks, tightened her headband and plugged away in her quest to realise a lifelong dream.
“When I picked up the racquet, it’s like I was born to play tennis and I was born to just achieve this dream. I was telling my mum – I want to win a Grand Slam, I want to be number one,” she told reporters.
“I’m someone that believes that it wasn’t meant to be (last year), so I cannot force it more than it should be.
“I’m glad that I have this belief, I believe in destiny. It wasn’t supposed to be that year. Maybe greater things are coming after that final.”
Jabeur’s convincing 6-0 6-3 last-16 victory over twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was her 26th win on the surface since 2021 — more than any other player on the Tour.
But as soon as she was done, she immediately set her sights on Rybakina.
“I’m probably going for my revenge. It was a difficult final last year,” she said.
STERN TEST
In truth, Jabeur already had one eye on the rematch when the draw was made and she was projected to meet Rybakina in the quarter-finals, but her Kazakh opponent will pose a stern test.
Since her maiden Grand Slam triumph, Rybakina has cemented her place in the sport’s new ‘Big Three’ in the women’s game along with Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
“Every player has weaknesses, you always try to play there, listen to your coach more often,” Jabeur added.
“I think you have a plan tactically, mentally also. Sometimes playing someone like Elena, who serves really well, it can be frustrating.
“Me, I would get angry, but I’ll try to accept the fact that she serves so good.”
Rybakina’s booming serve is her biggest strength. The 24-year-old is the only woman to send down more than 300 aces on the Tour this year.
She has faced just seven break points at Wimbledon this year and dropped serve only once, in the opening set of her first round match against Shelby Rogers when the reigning champion admitted to a rare bout of nerves.
“Now I’m feeling much better and more confident coming and playing on Centre Court. It’s different from the first round,” Rybakina said.
“I think it was just overall the atmosphere and the nerves to play the first match to get used to the grass, just to play some matches here. I think mentally I’m much better now, physically also good now.”
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
