Ons Jabeur has become the first African woman in the Open Era to reach the final of a major event after knocking out unseeded German Tatjana Maria at Wimbledon.
The second seed overcame a mid-match blip as she battled to a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, victory at The All England Club in what is a milestone achievement for her continent. Jabeur has now won 11 matches in a row on the grass and is the first woman to reach double digits since Maria Sharapova (2004-2005). According to the WTA, she is the 11th player to reach their first Wimbledon final after turning 27.
“I really don’t know what to say, it’s a dream coming true following years and years of work and sacrifice,” said Jabeur.
“I’m really happy that it’s paying off and I will continue for one more match.”
In what was the first Tour meeting between the two since 2018, Jabeur started to apply the pressure from the onset. Forcing Maria to battle her way through a tense eight-minute opening service game. It wasn’t long before the Tunisian secured his first breakthrough which occurred in the third game. A slice shot from Maria on break point crashed into the net to hand Jabeur her first break. Prompting her to clench her fist in delight. She then worked her way to a double break with the help of more errors from her rival before closing the set out with a love service game.
Maria did manage to hit back in the second frame during what has been a remarkable tournament for her. The 34-year-old had never gone beyond the third round of major until this event and is the first mother-of-two to reach the last four since Margaret court did so back in 1975. She worked her way to a 4-1 lead after back-to-back Jabeur errors gifted her a break. The unexpected momentum change continued with the world No.103 going on to level the match. Doing so with the help of a failed drop shot from Jabeur on set point.
Despite her blip, the second seed came out fighting in the decider. Hitting a blistering forehand passing shot she clinched the vital break to restore her stronghold in the match. From then onwards she cruised to victory with relative ease. Until Jabeur’s triumph an African woman had never reached a Grand Slam final since since 1959 which was almost a decade before the Open Era began.
“I’m a proud Tunisian woman standing here today and everybody at home is probably going crazy right now,” she said. “I just try to inspire as much as I can. I want to see more Arab and African players on the tour. I just love the game and I want to share this experience with them.”
In the immediate aftermath of her victory, Jabeur had a heartwarming conversation with Maria at the net. The two are friends on the Tour and know each other well.
“I think it was more difficult running after her balls (then playing her). She killed me. She will have to do a BBQ for me now to make up for all the running she has made me do on the court,” Jabeur jokes.
“I definitely wanted to share this moment with her at the end because she is such an inspiration for many players, including me. Coming back after having two babies..I still can’t believe how she did it.”
“I hope she continues this way. I love seeing tatjana on the court.”
Wimbledon is the fifth tournament where she has reached the final this year and her second on the grass.
