Pic: (Left) The Tunisian Jabeur; (Right) The German Maria
Ons Jabeur scripted history by becoming the first Arab woman to have reached the Grand Slam semi-finals. The Tunisian player beat Marie Bouzkova 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals, Tuesday.
“It means a lot,” said 27-year-old Jabeur, who is ranked No. 2 in the world. “I was hoping that I could get to this stage. Former Moroccan player Hicham Arazi told me ‘Arabs always lose in the quarterfinals and we are sick of it. Please break this.’ I was like, I’ll try, my friend.”
Watch her play here:
However, it is the ongoing semi-finals onwards 6 pm IST that will write History. The currently being played match has pitted Jabeur against another newcomer to this stage at a major tournament — Tatjana Maria from Germany. Interestingly, Tatjana has taken two sabbaticals from tennis to bear children. She becomes the oldest first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist in the Open era in her 35th appearance at such a tournament. In the QFs, she defeated 22-year-old Jule Niemeier 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 on No. 1 Court.
Jabeur and Maria are good friends.
Maria is making her 10th appearance at the All England Club — her participation was twice interrupted to have children. Her first daughter was born in 2013 and the second came in 2021.
In her personal life, Jabeur tied the knot with Karim Kamoun, a professional fencer in 2015 when she was 20. Karim also serves as the fitness coach to Ons and usually travels with her.
The second semi-finals between Simona Halep and Elena Rybakina match went underway at 7:15 pm IST.
Also Read: High Comeback Chances For Nadal At Wimbledon 2022
