Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur lost to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, in the Wimbledon final, dashing Arab hopes that she would become the first from the region to win a grand slam singles title.
We were blessed with heaps of @Ons_Jabeur drop shots at this year's Championships – this one may be the best 😍#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/50OLKMXdg5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2022
Russia-born Rybakina, the 17th seed who has been representing Kazakhstan since 2018, claimed her biggest career success on Saturday, after one hour 47 minutes, on her first match point for her third title overall.
Third-seed Jabeur had aimed to become the first player from the Arab world and the first African woman to win a Slam singles title in the professional era, which dates to 1968.
North African trailblazer Jabeur, 27, looked deflated as she walked off court with her runners-up plate.
“I’m trying to inspire the next generations. I hope they are listening”@Ons_Jabeur, keep blazing the trail 🇹🇳#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/t4214lhOFu
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2022
“I want to congratulate Elena and her team, she played amazing. I love this tournament so much and I feel really sad but I mean it’s tennis and there is only one winner,” she said.
I really tried everything that I can. I did everything since the beginning of the year to really focus on this tournament but it wasn’t meant to be. I cannot force things. I’m not ready probably to be a Grand Slam champion [but] I know that I’m going to come back and win a Grand Slam, for sure.
“I will leave happy, with a big smile always. Tennis is just a sport for me. The most important thing is that I feel good about myself.”
“I love this tournament. I feel really sad but in tennis, there is only one winner.I’m really happy that I’m trying to inspire many generations from my country. I hope they’re listening. I just want to wish Eid Mubarak to all Muslims around the world.”
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