Being beaten by her in last year’s final — during which she was a set up only to be broken down by the Kazakh’s power game — ate away at her but has become the motivation to go one better.
The Tunisian never played on grass growing up but said her love of playing football on the surface made it a natural fit. She joked after her first-round match: “Maybe I pretend to be Cristiano Ronaldo playing here.”
There is a levity to Jabeur on and off court, cracking jokes and sharing moments of fun with the crowd even in tense moments. It is no surprise that in her homeland they call her the ‘Minister for Happiness’. In the stands at Wimbledon, she seems universally loved.
It is not just the joy with which she plays but the brand of tennis — a mercurial mix of drop shots, slices and unconventional returns.
Denne historien er fra July 13, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra July 13, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
