Jabeur: "I believe in destiny and if it is written that I am going to win a Grand Slam, I will do it"

Mónica Barberán Munera | 3 Feb 2025 | 21.15

Tunisian Ons Jabeur at the 2025 Australian Open. Photo: getty

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February has arrived, and with it, the dispute of the first WTA tournament of the season in Arab lands. We are talking about the 500-category tournament taking place in Abu Dhabi this week, from February 3 to 8. The Tunisian and former world number 2, Ons Jabeur, will be there, as she does not want to miss the opportunity to play in the tournaments held in the Persian Gulf (followed by the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai). How will she perform this year? Let's remember that the Tunisian had to end her 2024 season just before the US Open in August due to a back injury. Thus, she returned in January, reaching the quarterfinals in Brisbane, the round of 16 in Adelaide, and the third round at the US Open.

In a recent interview with The National, Ons acknowledged being satisfied with her performance in Melbourne considering her break last year, a much-needed one. “It has been very good to see that the level has returned. I am aware that there is still a good margin for evolution and improvement. I am enjoying my time and trying to correct many things and, perhaps, discover a new 'me' on the court,” she said about how she currently perceives herself.

She also admitted that making the decision to end the season last year was difficult, but she does not regret it. “I don't think anything changes on the circuit while you are out, but players have commitments with sponsors or with our ranking, that's the point. Although, to be honest, it was the right decision because I should have stopped earlier. I wasn't playing very well, I wasn't capable, and I questioned myself. I blamed my mental abilities to compete for it and at one point, I thought: 'I don't think I can play anymore, I really need to take some time off'. That was a smart decision,” she said.

Excited about the development of tennis in the Arab world

Back to normal, the Tunisian aims to perform well in Abu Dhabi, where she will debut tomorrow against Jelena Ostapenko. Jabeur is facing the most important month for her due to playing at home. “For me, this is undoubtedly the most important part of the tour: three consecutive tournaments in the Middle East. If they had asked me a long time ago, I would have said it was very difficult to imagine. Even when I wasn't ranking very high, I always hoped to play in Doha and Dubai, so adding Abu Dhabi now... It's amazing for the Arab world to have more tournaments to inspire the younger generation more and more. It's not the same as watching it on TV; having the opportunity to come here is huge,” she expressed.

These tournaments are relatively new, which is why Jabeur is so happy that more emphasis is being placed on organizing events in Arab countries. For her, it is crucial to create a tennis tradition that other countries have thanks to Grand Slams, for example. “I always hear other players say: 'when I was young, I went to the US Open', others have a photo of Wimbledon. However, I don't have a photo of any tournament and I never dreamed of playing in one of the Grand Slams. The only one, perhaps, was Roland Garros because I heard about it. So I feel that now the younger generation can create memories and keep them for the future,” she stated.

Speaking of Grand Slams, does she still believe she can win a title at 30? Just look at Madison Keys, who just won her first major at 29 in the Australian Open. After her victory, the American admitted that the key was not believing she needed to win a Slam for her career to be successful. “It's very difficult. It's easier said than done, not to be obsessed with a Grand Slam. Although in life in general, if you are obsessed with something, I think it will never happen to you. I am on the path of accepting that if I don't win a major in my life, I would be very happy with my career. I know I'm happy with my career because what I've done so far is incredible, but you always have the athlete, that champion inside you, to aim higher and higher. I truly believe in destiny. If it is written that I will win a Grand Slam, I will. I am working hard, so we will see how my career ends,”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jabeur: "Creo en el destino y si está escrito que voy a ganar un Grand Slam, lo haré"