Fri 08 July 2022:
With a stirring 6-2 3-6 6-1 victory over Tatjana Maria, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur raised the spirits of a whole continent and became the first Arab and first African woman to go to the Wimbledon final.
Billie Jean King, an American tennis legend, declared before Jabeur took the court on Thursday that she was “using tennis as a platform to help Tunisia, help Africa, and help Arabs,” and the 27-year-old did just that as she finally ended the remarkable run of mum-of-two Maria.
Both would have been deserving winners, and each would have wanted to celebrate the other’s success, but there could only be one winner. And so Ons Jabeur defeated Tatjana Maria 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 to become the first African to reach the women’s singles final on Saturday.
This competition was concluded with a prolonged hug. Two friends hugging over the net, two first-time grand slam semifinalists, two strong women with compelling tales.
“I’m a proud Tunisian woman standing here,” said Jabeur.
“It’s a dream come true from years of work and sacrifice. I’m happy that’s paid off and I’ll continue for one more match,” said Jabeur.
As for her remaining challenge, Jabeur described it as “one more match, one more step, to continue and hopefully get the title”. The Tunisian said success at Wimbledon has been her priority since her run to the quarter-finals last year and that she has visualised raising the Venus Rosewater Dish. “Last year I told my mental coach, I’m coming back next year for the title. I just love everything around here, the atmosphere and everything.”
Tennis fever is now endemic in her home country, with Jabeur known as “the minister for happiness”. The final also coincides with the celebration of Eid al-Adha, and Jabeur said: “It’s always about Tunisia somehow, but I want to go bigger, inspire many more generations. Tunisia is connected to the Arab world, it’s connected to the African continent. It’s not like Europe or any other countries.
“I want to see more players from my country, from the Middle East, from Africa. I think we didn’t believe enough at certain point that we can do it. Now I’m just trying to show that. Hopefully people are getting inspired.”
Before Thursday, South Africans Irene Bowder Peacock, at the 1927 French Open, and Renee Schuurman, in the 1959 Australian Open, were the only African women to reach a Slam final.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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