Tunisian Anas Jaber continues to write her name in golden letters in the history of tennis after a story of impressive rise from a region that has never produced real competitors in the elite sport, and is now close to becoming the first Arab and African to win a Grand Slam title.
Anas broke into the list of the top 50 players in the world rankings in 2020, and last year she became the first Arab woman to enter the top ten list, which is also an unprecedented achievement at the level of Arab men in the era of professionalism.
And it has risen to second place now, so it looks like the closest to winning the Wimbledon title after rising to the quarter-finals and after the first seed Iga Chiantek was eliminated.
More than tennis 💜 💚#Wimbledon |
@Ons_Jabeur pic.twitter.com/dymk0g39Pe
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2022
Ons, 27, feels that her role is now also related to encouraging more players from Africa in particular to excel in tennis, despite the belief that it is a very costly sport.
Ons enjoying 😅 #Wimbledon #Wimbledon |
@Ons_Jabeur pic.twitter.com/UWeToMOula
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 3, 2022
"It is not easy, but I love this sport," she said - after defeating Belgium's Elisa Mertens on Sunday to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the second year in a row - "I hope to send a message to the younger generation, not only from my country but in the continent of Africa."
"I would like to see more players from Africa here, I want the players to believe more in their talents and the ability to compete here and enjoy playing."
"I did not belong to a wealthy family, so we must stop making excuses, and strive to achieve the goal," she added.
What it means to win a thrilling first set tie-break 😤 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5tHIxgdhuV
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2022
Shiraz Bcharre is the closest Tunisian player to her compatriot Anas in the world rankings, occupying 718th place.
Egyptian Mayar Sherif has managed to climb to 50th place in the world rankings, but she is absent from Wimbledon to recover from an injury.
Ons's chances of reaching the semi-finals for the first time in a Grand Slam look strong when she faces Czech world number 66 Marie Pozkova on Tuesday.
“I have great aspirations in the tournament, regardless of who the next player is, I will prepare to fight and I will fight to the end because I really want to win the title,” concluded Anas, who has not lost any set at Wimbledon.