Jabeur tennis on a high despite Wimbledon defeat

Ons Jabeur will head back for a brief welcome home in Tunis before tackling the demands of the upcoming North American hardcourt season, giving little thought to her loss in the Saturday’s Wimbledon final

The breakthrough Arab and African woman who set records by reaching the title match, was overcome 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 by Kazakh Elena Rybarkina.

But Jabuer, whose ranking will drop from two to seven as a result of this “no-points” Wimbledon edition, is excited by what she has accomplished – for herself and her country.

With Sunday the Eid Muslim holiday, Jabuer hopes to be back in Tunis for a short period to have a proper celebration of the first half of her tennis summer.

“I will go home maybe Thursday, I’m not sure,” the 27-year-old said. “Our minister of sports said there is a huge surprise for me.

“I’m not sure what’s going to expect. I cannot wait to meet Tunisians. They’re really amazing.

“They always support me. I think right now I need their support to really continue and do better.”

Despite losing the final, Jabeur cannot complain about her grass season, which also included a title in Berlin.

“I’m very glad about my results, I don’t regret anything.

“I gave it all today. I don’t disbelieve in myself and I know that I’m going to come back and win a Grand Slam, for sure.

“This is tennis and I have to learn from it, definitely. But I’m very, very positive.

“I cannot wait to play my next tournament, especially going to the States, and I know there are a lot of crazy fans there.

“This is just the beginning of so many things. It’s the beginning of great things for me.”