Surging in confidence, Ons Jabeur proclaims that she has earned the right to be world No.2 as she sets out her goal to one day dethrone Iga Swiatek from the top spot in the world rankings.
The Tunisian second seed began her Wimbledon campaign on Monday with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3, win over Swedish qualifier Mirjam Bjorklund in less than an hour. She dropped just seven points behind her serve and blasted 11 winners past her opponent en route to the second round.
“I don’t like to make the same mistake twice,” said Jabeur who lost in the first round of the French Open earlier this year.
“I learned a lot from the first round in Roland Garros. Obviously, everything feels different here (at Wimbledon). I feel more ready. Starting Monday not Sunday is much better for me.’
“I enjoy playing a lot on grass. Scheduling, playing a few matches, just getting the perfect amount of playing on grass was great.”
Heading into this year’s grass-court major, Jabeur has already enjoyed success on the grass after winning the Berlin Open where she dropped one set in five matches played. More recently in Eastbourne, she played doubles alongside Serena Williams. An experience she believes will enhance her future form.
“Playing along with Serena also helped me with the great attitude on the court. (To) kind of start to be a leader on the court. That’s what I’m trying to do. Trying to have that attitude,” she explains.
Jabeur has already made an impression on the tour this season by registering a total of 31 wins. Only Swiatek (42) has won more than her on the WTA Tour this year. This year’s Wimbledon is the eight major in a row where she has been seeded in the draw.
A testament to her dedication to the Tour is the WTA rankings. This time last year she was 24th in the world and it wasn’t until last October that she broke into the top 10 for the first time. Although getting there hasn’t been easy both physically and mentally.
“I’ve worked hard a lot. I’ve struggled a bit before with my confidence. Tennis is a tricky sport. You can lose every week, which is not fun.” Jabeur admits.
“Now I feel like I deserve it (the No.2 ranking) even more. I feel like I even gained and won matches to prove myself on this level.”
“I do feel more confident. I do feel like I deserve to be at this level. Hopefully, the next step will be No. 1.”
Trying to overtake Swiatek will be a tough task with the Pole currently on a 35-match winning streak. Furthermore, ranking points are not being issued at Wimbledon as a response to their ban of Russian and Belarussian players.
Nevertheless, Jabeur is determined to succeed and is not afraid of the obstacles she may face.
“It’s going to be tough, but not impossible,” she said.
“I want to have the level to be No. 1. I don’t just want to be No. 1 like that, I put a lot of pressure on myself.
“I mean, everybody is looking forward to winning against No. 1. I want to really deserve that spot. Hopefully, I can be at the level that Iga is playing right now.”
Jabeur is aiming to improve on her best run at Wimbledon which was to the quarter-finals last year.
