Ons Jabeur makes more history for Arab women in Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England — Ons Jabeur for many “first” fills Resume, add new: The first Arab woman to reach the semi-finals in a Grand Slam tournament.

The third-seeded Tunisian improved in last year's quarterfinals at Wimbledon with one successful Grand Slam tournament on the Grass Court on Tuesday. She defeated Marie Boweskova 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 on the center court.

"That means a lot," said 27-year-old Jabber, who ranks second in the world. "I've already wanted to reach this stage for a long time .... I was talking a bit with (former Moroccan player) Hicham Arazi, who told me:" Arabs are always losing in the quarterfinals and we're tired of it. Break this. "I try, like my friend.

She tried, and that's true, she did it.

In the semi-finals, Jabber will face another newcomer to this stage, Tachiyana Maria, in a major tournament.

A 34-year-old German who had two breaks in tennis and gave birth to a child has participated in such tournaments 35 times, the oldest and first Grand Slam semi-finalist in her open era. became. She defeated 22-year-old Jules Niemeyer 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 on the first court.

Jabber and Maria are good friends.

"She is really happy that she has what she deserves. I know she had a lot of trouble," said Jabber. "It's not easy to come back after giving birth to two babies. Sure, it's going to be a great match between us, a lot of respect."

Jabber Has been recording the records of Arab players one after another in recent years. She became the first Arab woman to reach the quarterfinals at the 2020 Australian Open Grand Slam tournament. In 2021, she was the first Arab to reach the top 10 in the men's or women's rankings, after which she was the first Arab to win the WTA title and break the record for the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

This year, Jabber's situation is even better on the grass of the All England Club. She won her first four games on a straight set and was hardly a problem in any of the games.

This has changed for Bowzkova, a 23-year-old Czech who has never played in the third round of a major tournament. However, Bowzkova's strong start did not last until the second set.

"She got all the balls, but it's not easy to get her points," said Jabber. "I'm glad I got into the game. I was more aggressive in the second set, playing some angles that she didn't really like, especially tactically."

Maria also lost her first set and recovered to win the next two. This victory made her the sixth woman to advance to the Wimbledon semi-finals at the age of 34.

Five women before Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Venus Williams and Serena Williams have won a total of 30 titles at the All England Club.

"It's great to be on the list of such great players," said Maria, who had never played in the third major in Wimbledon in 2015. .. That is, putting my name in the same place, yeah, I still can't believe it.

Maria has made her 10th appearance in the All England Club. Her participation was interrupted twice to have her child. Her first daughter was born in 2013 and her second daughter was born in 2021.

Tennis has been sitting behind her family since the children arrived, despite this wonderful run at Wimbledon.

"For me, I think it's the most important thing in my life and being the mother of two children. There's nothing to change this," Maria said. .. "I'm in the Wimbledon semifinals, it's crazy, but I'm still a mom. After this, I go out there, meet the kids and do the same every day."

Maria was recently ranked out of the Top 250 in March, but returned to 103rd place.

She returned from her second maternity leave about a year ago and was the first round of her US Open. In her major this year, she lost in the first round at both the Australian Open and the French Open.

"I always believed that there was something in me, which means I could do this," Maria said. "I always believed this, but to be here now ... I gave birth to my second daughter a year ago. A year later if someone tells me you're in the Wimbledon semifinals, it's crazy.