Triumphant return for the young champion Ons Jabeur.

Tunisian flags waved by women and children, music at full volume, hundreds of Tunisians gathered on Friday, July 15, in the center of the capital to celebrate their star Ons Jabeur, the first Arab and African tennis player to have reached the final at Wimbledon.

"Yes, everything is possible," cleverly dodged the young woman of 27, visibly delighted with her recent popularity, in response to the bearer of a sign in favor of yes to the next referendum on the Constitution proposed by President Kais Saïed.

It's a big "YES" to encourage young people to realize their dreams.

This is not a political “YES”.


I'm a sportswoman, I don't do politics.

pic.twitter.com/QVjumbGi4F

— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) July 15, 2022

"It's true that I want to get there... why not be world No.1 and win the Roland-Garros tournament," she added, from a grandstand in front of the Municipal Theater on Avenue Bourguiba, the main artery of Tunis.

>> To read also: "Ons Jabeur, from the tennis courts of Tunisian hotels to those of Wimbledon"

"The love of Tunisians is more important than any title. I hope this is the start of many more victories. I am proud to be Tunisian," she added.

National Order of Merit

Many celebratory attendees danced to music played over loudspeakers or carried pictures of the player and tennis racquets.

Some spectators were trying to grab signed tennis balls thrown by Ons Jabeur.

"We came to experience joy with Ons Jabeur. She made us happy. I am very moved. With everything we see (in the country), it must be said that the morale of Tunisians is not at the top “, told AFP Mongia Zaag, in an allusion to the political crisis and the economic difficulties that the country is going through.

This teacher felt that Ons Jabeur is "an example for Tunisian girls but also for boys".

Thursday, Ons Jabeur received from the hands of President Kaïs Saïed, the prestigious Grand Medal of the National Order of Merit.

Thank you to His Excellency President Kaïs Saïed for his welcome to the Presidential Palace!

🇹🇳 pic.twitter.com/cqIbbOEaAF

— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) July 14, 2022

She assured that she wanted to "give more hope to young people".

Since Ons Jabeur – currently ranked 5th in the world after rising to 2nd place – resumed its rise in the WTA rankings in 2018, the number of members in its Hammam Sousse club (center-east) has doubled. to reach 700 members.

The young woman was noticed for the first time in 2011, winning at only 16 years old, the Roland-Garros tournament in the junior category.

With AFP

The summary of the

France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_EN