This week’s San Jose Open is a test for Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in more ways than one.
Taking to the courts in America, it is the first time she has played a match since finishing runner-up to Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon. Keen to continue her momentum heading into the US Open, Jabeur is interested to see how she fares on her own which is why she has made the decision to be at the tournament without her coaching team. Instead she will reunite with them in Canada next week.
“This is an individual sport and at the end of the day, I’m on the court alone and I’m with my thoughts. So I thought it would be great experience for me to try that out.” She said.
Going solo, the world No.5 got off to a solid start on Wednesday by defeating Madison Keys 7-5, 6-1. A former Grand Slam finalist who has been ranked as high as seventh in the world. Utilizing her drop shot to great effect, Jabeur hit a total of seven winners against 12 unforced errors.
“I really love to challenge myself sometimes and be able to do those kind of things on my own,” she said. “For me, the main thing was to manage my emotions on the court better. But I like to take the full credit for today’s match, too.”
Jabeur is still in contact with her team and spoke with coach Issam Jellali prior to her clash with Keys. This week she is bidding to win her fourth Tour title and first outside of Europe. She is yet to win a WTA trophy on a hardcourt.
During her latest match, there were Tunisian flags on display in the crowd to the delight of the tennis star. Jabeur has been a trailblazer in Tunisian tennis after achieving a series of milestones. She has said on multiple occasions that her hope is to inspire others.
“I’m not playing just for myself, I’m playing for my country and wherever I go I find a lot of Tunisians,” Jabeur explains. “It makes me feel like I’m supported all the time. Everybody is trying to bring the flag every time so they can show me that there are Tunisians around.”
Jabeur will play either America’s Claire Liu or world No. 19 Veronika Kudermetova in the quarter-finals.
