The Secret Behind Ons Jabeur’s Madrid Resilience: A Spanish Perspective
Ons Jabeur clinched the 2022 Madrid Open, a WTA 1000 event, scoring her biggest title yet and becoming the first female Tunisian and Arab player to bag such a prestigious trophy.
Her landmark victory didn’t just add a feather to her cap-it’s also been a game-changer for tennis across the African continent, putting the sport firmly on the map and raising its profile to new heights. But what’s first up on her list of wins?
A Winning Streak and Blossoming Friendships
A blossoming friendship with fellow tennis stars Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka. Badosa and Sabalenka, whom Jabeur playfully calls her “soulmates”, have been creating a fashion frenzy while Jabeur plays the role of the grounded friend.
“They’re both kids, you know. I’m here as a psychologist between them”, Jabeur quipped in April after her triumphant 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 win over Leylah Fernandez (Tennis.com).
While Badosa and Sabalenka often chat about the latest purses and outfits, Jabeur takes on the practical role of offering real-world advice and support.
“I love both, obviously. I think Aryna and Paula have the connection of the fashion: ‘I wore this, I wore that, I bought this new purse,’ and I go to the real thing. ‘What do you need? Let’s go have dinner'”, she added with a wink.
New Coaching Dynamics
Adding another layer to Jabeur’s Madrid experience is her collaboration with former world No. 7 Fernando Verdasco. With her regular coach, Issam Jellali, back in Tunisia, Jabeur has enlisted Verdasco’s expertise for the week.
The ex-Grand Slam semifinalist, who’s been working with Jordanian player Abdullah Shelbayh, has stepped in to help. “My backhand is much better. I’ve been trying to be a lefty for a while, so I think it’s working out,” Jabeur joked about her improved game.
Insights and Spanish Flair
Jabeur’s admiration for Verdasco extends beyond his coaching skills. “Fernando is such an amazing person. We are close. I’ve known him for a long time. It’s always nice to chat with him and have his vision about tennis; I’ve always been a fan of his as a tennis player and also a person,” she shared.
Adopting Verdasco’s Spanish mentality, Jabeur has embraced a high-spin style that echoes the Spanish flair. “It’s nice to get the insights of a professional tennis player and see how he thinks.
“I share sometimes my frustrations on court … ‘You think I should’ve done that, or this?’ It’s really amazing to see his insights. Maybe I’ll have the Spanish mentality for this week!” she said, with a grin.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 season has seen Ons Jabeur make a splash that’s hard to ignore. She carved out a spot in the French Open quarterfinals for the second year running, outclassing wildcard Sachia Vickery, Camila Osorio, Leylah Fernandez, and Clara Tauson before meeting her match in third seed Coco Gauff.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Jabeur kept the momentum rolling onto the grass courts, reaching the quarterfinals at both the Nottingham Open and the Berlin Ladies Open.
There, she triumphed over qualifier Linda Fruhvirtová and up-and-coming talents like Xinyu Wang and Linda Nosková. Alas, her Wimbledon run hit a snag in the third round, where Elina Svitolina brought her campaign to an end.
