HOPING TO MAKE IT THIRD TIME LUCKY AT WIMBLEDON ONS JABEUR

ON HOW THE SUPPORT OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES HAS DRIVEN HER DESIRE TO LIFT THE WOMEN'S TROPHY

- SHARNAZ SHAHID

Trailblazing tennis player Ons Jabeur is poised to make her return to Wimbledon this week and, driven by determination and a desire to build on her achievements over the past two years, is resolute in her mission to become the first African and the first Arab to win a Grand Slam title.

Last year, the 29-year-old Tunisian star captured hearts around the world, including the Princess of Wales’s, with an emotional speech following her loss in the women’s singles final – her second time as runner-up. Losing to Marketa Vondrousova was, she said, the “most painful loss of my career”.

A MUCH-NEEDED EMBRACE

Kate, the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, appeared to well up as she watched Ons, and offered her a consolation hug following the match.