Ons Jabeur says she has ‘no idea’ as to why Serena Williams chose her to play doubles with at next week’s Eastbourne International.
Williams, who hasn’t played a competitive match since her retirement from the first round at Wimbledon last year, confirmed that she will be making a return on Tuesday. She has received a wildcard into this year’s Wimbledon main draw where she will be making a remarkable 21st appearance at the Grand Slam. Prior to that, she will head to the coast for some doubles duty alongside Jabeur. Somebody who she has never played against or practiced with in entire her career.
“I’m still over the moon. I found out before the French Open, and it’s an honor and privilege to play with her,” Jabeur said about playing with Williams during an interview with Racquet Magazine.
“I’m actually nervous, but I’m going to try to be the doubles specialist for the next week and hopefully make zero mistakes. But it’s a great honor to play with such a legend, and to be able to really share the court with her is unbelievable because we never played each other and now we’re playing next to each other—we are a team.’
“I’m really excited to be in Eastbourne next week, more and more excited than ever. Hopefully it’s going to be a great tournament for both of us.”
It is rare for Williams to play doubles without being alongside her sister Venus whom she has won 14 major titles with. In fact, Jabeur is just the fifth female player she has played alongside on the Tour other than her sister. Including Billie Jean King Cup ties, she has also paired up with Martina Navratilova (2002), Alexandra Stevenson (2002), Alison Riske (2015) and Caroline Wozniacki (2020).
So how did this latest partnership come about? It was actually down to Williams current coach Eric Hechtman who is better known for his work with Venus.
“My coach, he’s in contact with her coach, Eric [Hechtman],” she confirmed.
“Would I play doubles with Serena?” I mean, obviously the answer was yes. She was coming back; I didn’t know where. I wasn’t sure, actually, to play at Eastbourne. But now I’m 100 percent sure I will go, just for doubles.”
Predominately a singles player, Jabeur has previously reached the final of a WTA doubles tournament before which also took place on the grass. That was last year at the Birmingham classic where she finished runner-up with Ellen Perez.
“I’m pretty lucky that she picked me,” she said of Williams. “I’m going to try to be 100 percent on the court, and serve like Andy Roddick, make volleys like the Bryans, just trying to be really good on court.”
In Eastbourne Jabeur will also play in the singles tournament but Williams will not.
