Ons Jabeur staying positive as she continues to chase her dreams of Grand Slam glory

Stuttgart, Germany. 17th Apr, 2024. Tennis: WTA Tour – Stuttgart, singles, women, 1st round. Alexandrova – Jabeur (Tunisia). Ons Jabeur reacts after the victory. Credit: Marijan Murat/dpa/Alamy Live News

Ons Jabeur says that many players would be happy to have had the career that she has but she still dreams of winning a Grand Slam.

Jabeur has reached three Major finals but has yet to lift any of the trophies.

She feels that her ability to pick herself up from disappointment is something she can be very proud of.

“I come from a very small country, a continent that dreams of seeing someone win a Grand Slam,” Jabeur told WTATennis.com.

“I feel it’s great what I achieved. Obviously, it becomes more and more personal for me because it’s always tough to arrive to the final and not win it. But I’m going to keep chasing my dream and what I’ve learned is that I shouldn’t be afraid of failing because that’s where I’m really courageous.

“If I arrive again to the final and I fail again and I stand up again and go back again to another final, I see that as being a strong woman more than anything else.”

Jabeur didn’t have the greatest clay swing but feels that her Roland Garros run gave her some unique insights into what she needed to do.

“I always say the more matches I play on clay, the more physically better [I am] and easier the grass season is for me,” said Jabeur, “because the toughest surface to play on in tennis is clay because you have to be physically ready.

“But definitely, [Roland Garros] gave me a lot of confidence and made me understand a lot of things. I was blaming myself a lot at the beginning of the season, knowing that I was really injured. I didn’t know how much the injury affected my physical but also my mind. Obviously, if you cannot step on your foot you’re not going to rip forehands.”

Jabeur believes that if she meets Gauff again on grass, she has the tools to take down the American.

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“I think she likes slower surfaces,” Jabeur said. “She likes to have her time. But a champion is always a champion. I’m sure she’ll play unbelievable on grass.

“What I like more on grass is I can use my magic a little bit, the touch, the slices. I feel I can bother a little bit Coco with that.”

The Tunisian star believes that staying positive regardless of results is still the key to Grand Slam success.

“Learning from experience, you can play very bad and then make the final at Wimbledon like what happened last year,” Jabeur said.

“And I can play really good and win the tournament and still make the final as well (as in 2022).

“I think the most important thing is to keep really positive every match and to take any positive thing I did this week or last week. It’s important for me that I enjoy playing on grass.”