Tennis is a grueling sport and players are expected to put their best foot forward at all times. This means a player might not get enough time to process and mentally recover from a defeat. Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis player certainly has not, according to her latest interview. Jabeur was the crowd favorite to lift the Wimbledon trophy, but the title evaded her.
Despite being in anguish about her Wimbledon loss, Ons is still going to participate in the Cincinnati Open. She did, however, take some time off to rest and recover with her family.
Jabeur does add that the short break was not enough for her as the final loss still weighs heavy on her mind. She also admitted that she was not ready to play in Montreal for the same reason.
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The talented Tunisian revealed that she was in a different mental space now and would approach this tournament a little differently. Jabeur thinks she knows what is at the heart of her troubles and how to overcome them.
Jabeur understands the key to play in finals now, with the key being able to play fearlessly. When prodded about the prospect of another final, she said, “If I lose another final? It’s ok,” (via Tennis.com).
Ons Jabeur is not afraid to play more finals:
“You reach a stage where the brain may shut down from the semifinals, where you feel you may not be ready to play, your head simply takes control. For me the key lies in not being afraid, I want to play another final. If I lose it?… pic.twitter.com/00oWlWcVYp
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 15, 2023
Ons Jabeur had an amazing run at the All-England Club and was even backed by players like Andy Roddick. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 3-set semifinal but she choked when it really mattered. Jabeur lost 6-4, 6-4 to Marketa Vondrousova in under 80 minutes. This was her second consecutive final loss at SW19.
Ons Jabeur has a history of falling apart in Grand Slam finals
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur is a delight to watch when she is playing. She has the skills and the finesse to become a Grand Slam champion but so far, the Grand Slam title has evaded her.
Jabeur has now lost all three Grand Slam finals that she appeared in. Her string of final losses started with Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon in 2022.
Jabeur had been a fan favorite back then as well. Unfortunately, nerves got the better of her and she fumbled her lead. She eventually lost 6-3, 2-6, 2-6 to the Kazakh.
She made her second Grand Slam final at the US Open last year. Ons looked good on the hardcourt and had a good chance of winning her maiden Slam. Unfortunately, she lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek. Jabeur fought hard, but in the end, she did not stand a chance against Swiatek.
Jabeur’s loss to Marketa Vondrousova was sad, as it was her third in her career, and the second one at the venue. Vondrousova became the first unseeded player to win the tile.
Despite losing all three finals, there is something to be said about Jabeur’s work ethic. She gives it her all when she plays and off the court, she is loved by fans and her peers too. If there is a player who deserves a Slam, it is Jabeur.