The Tunisian tennis player, Ons Jabeur, breezed past two-time champion Petra Kvitova in a swift victory, taking just over an hour to win 6-0, 6-3 on the iconic Centre Court at Wimbledon 2023.
Jabeur’s reward for her impressive win is a quarter-final clash with Elena Rybakina on Wednesday. The upcoming match holds special significance for Jabeur, as Rybakina defeated her in a thrilling three-set match last year, leading Jabeur to jokingly claim that Rybakina “stole” her title. The desire for revenge is clear in Jabeur’s words.
“I’m definitely seeking my revenge,” Jabeur stated. “Last year’s final was challenging, and it brings back many memories. Rybakina is an incredible player, and she always plays aggressively. She has no mercy.”
Indeed, Rybakina’s playing style perfectly matches Jabeur’s description. After beating Jabeur, Rybakina’s immediate celebration resembled that of someone racing to catch the last train, rather than someone securing their first Grand Slam title.
Behind Rybakina’s understated nature lies a ruthless determination. In the Wimbledon tournament, no other women’s player has won a higher percentage of points behind their first serve. The defending champion hardly needs a subtle game plan.
Jabeur, on the other hand, will employ her usual tactics of varied slices, drop shots, and all sorts of shots in between to counter Rybakina’s sheer power. Through this, she hopes to overcome a hurdle that still eludes her. Last year, Jabeur experienced defeat in the US Open final against Iga Swiatek, just two months after her Wimbledon disappointment.
Jabeur’s demeanor on and off the court has earned her the nickname “Minister of Happiness” in Tunisia. However, she admits that she can feel stressed and even scared at times during matches due to her intense desire to win one of tennis’s most prestigious titles. Fortunately, she is fueled by a profound sense of destiny.
“When I picked up the racket, it felt as if I was born to play tennis,” Jabeur expressed. “I was born to fulfill this dream.”
