THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 10, 2023

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/P. Kvitova

6-0, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Ons Jabeur.

Ons, quite a match. Give us your thoughts on your performance today.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, great, great match. I'm very happy with the performance. Playing someone that maybe I don't like to play a lot. But it was a great performance from me. Hopefully I can keep going in this level.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It's sometimes difficult when someone wins a set 6-Love. What was it like for you mentally after that to make sure you kept your head in the game?

ONS JABEUR: I believe it's very difficult I don't do it more often. Winning also 6-Love against someone like Petra, you can expect to be beaten 6-Love the next set, so I tried to tell myself that the match is starting in the second set. Kept going. Tried to play point by point.

Honestly, it was going very well for me.

Q. We've asked you some version of this question before, but with the lack of precedent for Arab women in tennis, how did you maintain your self-belief? What did you lean on to say, I can keep going, the results will come?

ONS JABEUR: There is ups and downs obviously. I don't know. When I picked up the racquet, it's like I was born to play tennis and I was born to just achieve this dream.

I was telling my mom, I want to win a Grand Slam, I want to be this, I want to be No. 1. I never knew what's being a Grand Slam champion or playing in this sport.

I got to discover it at the young age, playing tournaments. I was a dreamer. I was born this way. I think no matter what you do, to me I'll always believe that I can do anything in this world.

Yeah, I kept doing my thing. I kept enjoying. Obviously Melanie, who is my mental coach, did help me a lot believing more in myself. I do believe I can believe more in myself in this level.

Hopefully with every work that we're doing together, I can improve more mentally and be able to maintain and be on these higher stages.

Q. What are you working on mentally specifically?

ONS JABEUR: Well, a lot of things. A lot of on my emotions, to transform my emotions from being angry to being good angry to win. The fact that I'm stressed or even scared, it's okay. It's part of your emotions to handle all this pressure coming from Tunisia or from the Arab world, Africa. It's kind of tough to handle at a certain time.

It's amazing to know how to accept it and make it a great thing.

Q. When you think back to a year ago here and the final, what sticks out in your mind the most?

ONS JABEUR: Maybe two things. The fact that I was really exhausted like emotionally. I wanted to keep pushing, but I felt little bit empty. Second thing, maybe what my coach kept telling me, to stick more to the plan, to do certain things, even though I was thinking something else in that match.

So, yeah, my priority tomorrow is really to stick 100% to the plan that my coach will give me, and try to even do things that I might not like on the court, play more freely, just think about each point and not the results.

Q. How much have you thought about that match? Every day you think about it? You've tried to block it out of your mind?

ONS JABEUR: I think the first one or two weeks I thought about it a lot. It was very painful. The good thing about it is I know I gave it everything. I'm someone that believes that it wasn't meant to be, so I cannot force it more than it should be.

I'm glad that I have this belief. I believe in destiny. It wasn't supposed to be that year. Maybe greater things are coming after that final. Definitely will learn a lot from it.

Obviously the next match is completely different. It's a quarterfinal. It's a completely different position. I'm going to do my best. The most important thing that I give 100% and I try not to regret anything.

Q. Chris Eubanks was in here talking about if he gives the effort, gives 100%, he is okay, but he hasn't set any goals.

ONS JABEUR: Who is that?

Q. Chris Eubanks. Then you walked in here and all I could think about was the Wimbledon trophy on your phone, how different that is. Are you on the other side of the spectrum, you're so clear you want to be No. 1, you want to win Wimbledon, you want to win these things? Have you thought about how that approach affects you?

ONS JABEUR: I believe everyone is different. I'm sure that if he thinks that way, it's working for him.

But I'm someone that likes to have a goal and to be determined. I need to get there. I don't like to be, like, flying, I don't know where I'm going. I like to know exactly what I want.

I know if I want that thing so bad, I will get it. That what keeps me motivated. That what keeps me give 100% on the court, react the way I react on the court.

Even though it adds pressure, it comes with pressure, yes, I understand that, but it's something that I want so bad. I believe that I can do it as long as I'm giving everything that I can, as long as I know where I'm going. I think it will help me a lot.

Q. In what aspect would you say you're a better player than a year ago? Do you still have the trophy on your phone?

ONS JABEUR: Better player? I think I have more experience. I know I'm adapting a lot to so many things and improving a lot in so many things.

I will answer that after the tournament is over (smiling).

Q. Moments ago when you were asked about last year's match and the one upcoming against Rybakina, you mentioned doing things you don't like to do. What are the things that you're thinking about you might need to do to beat her this time?

ONS JABEUR: I think I was speaking more tactically. Sometimes the player force you to play some shots that you don't want to play.

For me, I'll always try to stick more to the plan of what I am more comfortable to do on the court. By doing that, 'cause every player have weaknesses, you always try to play there, listen to your coach more often.

I think you have a plan tactically, mentally also. Sometimes playing someone like Elena, who serves really well, it can be frustrating.

Me, I would get angry, but I'll try to accept the fact that she serves so good and try to return good and see what I can do there.

Q. You're really well-liked here. Your popularity is clear to see. Can you explain why that is and how much of that side you really embrace?

ONS JABEUR: I have good karma maybe, I don't know.

I think I try to be me. I don't try to do anything that is not me. I try to smile all the time because I believe this sport is very cruel in certain times. I don't think you should always be like in the zone, not laugh, just keep smiling. I like to share my happiness with other people. Maybe people would feel my energy.

I do believe a lot in energy. That's why I always like to come and play here in Wimbledon, because I feel like the crowd is very sincere. Maybe I'm really the same with them.