13 July 2023 , 19:07
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At various points of a compelling semi-final, it was hard not to feel just a little bit sorry for Aryna Sabalenka.
After all, it cannot be nice having an entire auditorium willing against you. When the Belarusian was serving to save a first match point, she had to stop her action because the encouragement for her opponent was so vociferous.
But this was the result the spectators wanted and, while they would never admit it, this was the result Wimbledon and the All England Tennis Club wanted. The Princess of Wales will not have to present the Venus Rosewater Dish to someone whose country supports the atrocities being committed by Russia in Ukraine.
But that is just a bonus. The biggest plus is that the compelling talent and artistry of one of the most watchable players in tennis is back in a Wimbledon final.
And Ons Jabeur also happens to be one of the sport’s most likeable characters. But with the cheeriness (in Tunisia, she is known as the Minister of Happiness) goes grit - and at least one extra layer has been added since the Tunisian succumbed to Elena Rybakina in last year’s final.
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Against Sabalenka, the fierce-hitting world number two, Jabeur was under serious fire, a set down and a break down, looking at a semi-final defeat as she trailed 2-4 in the second. But she kept her nerve and a lid on her emotions, regrouped, and won four games on the spin to set up a deciding set.
Ons Jabeur celebrates victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the women's Wimbledon semi-final (PA)“I'm working a lot with my mental coach about this,” Jabeur said. “I might be writing a book about it! I'm very proud of myself because maybe the old me would have lost this match today and I would have been back home already. I'm finding the strength.
“I’m learning to turn the bad energy into good energy. I dug deep to win this match and hopefully this tournament.” After digging deep to win the second set, Jabeur was always in charge of the third and, after Sabalenka had saved three match points, saw out a 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 win.
After also losing in the 2022 US Open final, 28-year-old Jabeur is looking to win her first Grand Slam and will be favourite against unseeded Marketa Vondrousova.
But Jabeur has good reason not to be over-confident, saying: “Marketa is a great player - I’ve already lost twice to her this year. I guess going for my revenge is working. Hopefully the crowd will be here. They were great today - they kept me in the match.”
Sabalenka, who missed the chance to go top of the world rankings, said: “I knew the crowd were going to support her more and I’m fine with that. What can I do about that? I’m just really disappointed I couldn’t get the win. It’s a tough one to take.”
But for Jabeur, it is another chance to become the first woman from her continent to win a Grand Slam. She said: “Hopefully, I can make history not just for Tunisia but for the whole of Africa. I am going all out for it.”