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Ons Jabeur described Saturday’s 6-4 6-4 defeat by unseeded Marketa Vondrousova in the Wimbledon singles final as the most painful of her career.
Crowd favourite, Jabeur, 28, carried the hopes of Tunisia, Africa and the Arab world into the final, but her game crumbled terribly on Center Court.
“It’s going to be hard to talk because this is very hard,” said the sixth seed, tears welling up on court after losing the Wimbledon final for the second year in a row.
“We’ll make it happen one day, I promise.”@tweet He speaks beyond # Wimbledon Final defeat to Marketa Vondrousova pic.twitter.com/4OWGoBANUc
– Wimbledon (@wimbledon) July 15, 2023
“I’m going to look ugly in pictures, so it won’t help. I think this is the most painful loss of my career.”
Jabeur was also the favorite last year but lost the final to big hit Elena Rybakina. When she avenged that loss in the quarterfinals this week and then knocked out second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, it seemed the stars were lining up for her.
All the talk before the match was about Jabeur being set to be the first African woman and the first Arab player to win a Grand Slam title, after she also finished second in the 2022 US Open.
But despite winning her first two matches, she put in a nervous, bug-ridden display that was sometimes painful to watch as her dream faded.
“I would like to congratulate Marketa and her team for such a great tournament. You are a great player,” Jabeur said, looking devastated at the end of the match.
“It’s going to be a tough day for me today. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to come back stronger and win a Grand Slam one day. It was a great tournament for me.
“I wish I could have lasted until the end. I want to thank my team for always believing in me. We will make it through one day, I promise you.”
Jabir, whose innovative playing style and bubbly personality endeared her to fans worldwide, received a standing ovation when she stepped out to leave the stage for Vondrousova.
“I appreciate your support. It’s been a tough journey but that’s what tennis is. I promise one day I’ll come back and win this tournament,” she told the crowd.
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