Ons Jabeur admits that if she played her Wimbledon semi-final match against Aryna Sabalenka 12 months ago she would have probably lost.
The world No.6 has booked her place in the final of the tournament for a second year in a row after fighting back from the brink of defeat. It is the third time overall that she has reached the title match of a major tournament but she is yet to lift a trophy. Speaking on Center Court following her latest win, the Tunisian candidly admitted that the ‘old’ version of her would have lost.
“I’m working on myself like crazy. You have no idea what I’m doing,” she said during her press conference.
“Every time there is something, I’m very tough with myself and try to improve everything.’
“I’m very impatient sometimes, which is not good.”
Jabeur’s desire to improve has been hindered this season by various injury setbacks. Earlier in the season she underwent minor surgery on her knee before winning the Charleston Open. Then she was forced to pull out of a tournament in Madrid in May due to a calf injury. However, she has found a silver lining to those misfortunes.
“Maybe the injuries did slow me down and teach me to be patient and accept what’s going on,” she explained.
“I always believed in the mental (side of sport), in working on it. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past years since I was maybe 10 years old because I know if you are not ready physically, mentally you can always win. That’s probably what happened in the last two matches.”
The desire to become even better is spurred on by the army of fans the Tunisian has. Some even go as far as texting members of her team advice of their own. She is known by the nickname ‘minister of happiness’ and is credited for sparking a surge of interest in the sport in her country.
Awaiting Jabeur in the Wimbledon final on Saturday will be Marketa Vondrousova. A player who has beaten her twice this season at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Nevertheless, there is one thing inspiring her.
“For me, there is one goal: I’m going for it. I will prepare 100%. Hopefully, I can make history not just for Tunisia, but for Africa.” She concluded.
