MY ACCOUNT
US Open runner-up Ons Jabeur hopes her historic run to the final at Flushing Meadows can help inspire future generations of players from African and Arab nations.
Tunisian Jabeur went down 6-2 7-6 (7-5) to world number one Iga Swiatek in Saturday’s thrilling final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 28-year-old was the first African female player to reach the singles final at the US Open in the Open Era, having earlier this year become the first such player to reach the showpiece match of a grand slam in the Open Era.
Jabeur lost 3-6 6-2 6-2 to Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon, though despite not winning a set against Swiatek, gave a better account of herself this time around.
It has been some rise for Jabeur, who had previously never reached a semi-final in 20 previous major appearances. She will be the world number two when the new WTA rankings are confirmed on Monday.
An African player has not won a grand slam singles title since 1981, when Johan Kriek triumphed at the Australian Open. He retained his title a year later, yet was competing for the United States.
Indeed, a player from the continent, male or female, has not enjoyed success at any major since Cara Black won in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2010, but Jabeur is hoping that will soon change.
“I want to thank the crowd for cheering me on, I really tried, she deserved to win today – I don’t like her very much right now, but it’s okay,” Jabeur smiled as she hailed Swiatek’s performance in her on-court interview.
“An amazing two weeks to be honest, making up for my final at Wimbledon. I’m going to keep working hard and we’ll get that title sometime soon.”
Asked how proud she was of her history making season, Jabeur replied: “It really means a lot and I try to push myself to do more. Getting the major is one of the goals.
“Hopefully I can inspire more and more generations, that’s the goal and I get inspired by so many champions. Thank you also to my team, always pushing me.
“We want more and more kids coming here hopefully, I just really hope I can inspire more. This is just the beginning.”
Jabeur is the first player to reach the final at both Wimbledon and the US Open in the same season since the great Serena Williams did so in 2019, and only the seventh player overall since the turn of the century.
After struggling to find rhythm in the first set, the fifth seed hit back in the second, coming from 4-2 down to restore parity and subsequently save the first of Swiatek’s championship points en route to forcing a tie-break.
Jabeur found herself serving for the set at 5-4 up, yet a wonderful Swiatek forehand and a sloppy shot into the net handed her opponent a second bite at the cherry.
The Pole took it thanks to an overhit Jabeur forehand, meaning the Tunisian has now lost seven of her 10 Tour-level finals, and all three of the showpiece matches she has played in on hard courts.
