Illness and three-set matches have been very much a prominent feature during Ons Jabeur’s first week at the US Open.
Just days before the final Grand Slam of the season was about to begin, the Tunisian started to feel unwell with what she believes is a type of flu. She was still not feeling fully fit during her first two matches but managed to secure wins over Camila Osorio and Linda Noskova en route to the third round.
Jabeur’s New York roller-coaster continued on Saturday when she battled back from a set down to oust Marie Bouzkova 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3, after almost three hours of play. The world No.5 dropped her serve five times and at one stage was one game away from defeat. To add to the drama, her opponent was also struggling with her own problems. Bouzkova was forced to leave the court at one point for treatment on her thigh and looked close to tears but continued playing.
“She’s such a fighter. I knew that coming into the match. She told me, she probably pulled something,” Jabeur said of her conversation with Bouzkova at the net.
“This is a tough sport. You always don’t want to give up. I really respect her for that. I think we both had a great battle and hopefully I’ll continue getting this warrior symbol with me during this great tournament.”
Whilst relishing her ‘warrior’ nickname due to the battles she has faced on court, usually players want to minimize the length of their matches during the first week of a major to serve energy. However, Jabeur believes her recent challenges are helping increase her confidence as she chases after her first major title at the age of 29.
“It’s okay. I’m testing myself. I love fighting. I trust my body. I know I can go all the way playing three sets, no problem.” She stated.
“I feel like this tournament is testing me and showing me that I have a lot of strength, that I can go really far and maybe have a great result here.”
Jabeur is coached on the Tour by compatriot Issam Jellali who is a former Tunisian Davis Cup player. The two have been working together since 2020 and during this period she has reached the final of Wimbledon Twice and the US Open once.
Focusing on this year’s tournament, Jabeur believes part of the reason why she has been able to come out on top of her matches was due to the ‘tough practices’ she had before flying to North America.
“It was super hot in Tunisia, super humid. Honestly, I was fighting to just finish the practice. It would have been much easier to stop the practice, but we didn’t.” She said.
“I have an amazing team behind me that pushes me. I kept thinking about those practices. I think it’s so quick but it’s paying off. I was really fighting on those practices the same as during those matches.”
Jabeur is only the second African woman in the Open Era to have reached the fourth round of the US Open in consecutive years after South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer. She will play 23rd seed Qinwen Zheng in her next match on Monday.
