In an exclusive interview with Arab News in southwest London, Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur shares her new approach as she aims for success at Wimbledon for the third time.
Upon arriving at Wimbledon last week, Jabeur admitted feeling melancholic. Reflecting on her past triumphs and disappointments, especially last year’s heartbreaking loss in the final, still lingers in her mind. Despite the emotional challenge, Jabeur expressed gratitude for being part of such a prestigious tournament, where she feels cherished and respected unlike anywhere else.
Acknowledging the unpredictability of the future, Jabeur, who turns 30 next month, remains optimistic and appreciates her opportunity to compete at Wimbledon. She discussed her changed perspective, separating her career goals from personal aspirations like starting a family, a topic she explored in the documentary “This is me” earlier this year.
Now ranked No. 10 globally, Jabeur emphasized her evolved mindset, focusing on giving her best without undue pressure to achieve specific milestones within a set timeframe. Drawing inspiration from Andy Murray’s resilience after his own setbacks, she hopes to author her own Wimbledon success story, akin to Murray’s triumphant journey.
As she prepares to open her Wimbledon campaign against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, Jabeur contemplates seeking advice from another tennis great, Andy Roddick, on navigating the pressures of the sport’s pinnacle event.
