Ons Jabeur was spotted working with Fernando Verdasco this year at the Madrid Open, as her coach, Issam Jellali, is not present in the Spanish capital.
The change isn't a permanent change in her team because Jellali is still her coach and will remain so in the coming months, but she did enlist the help of a friend who is very familiar with Madrid.
Verdasco is a former player who has played on the ATP Tour for many years. He was born and raised in Madrid and knows the ATP and WTA 1000 event and facilities really well.
He's a long-time friend of Jabeur, and he was happy to help her with some suggestions as she was without a coach this week. She talked about after starting her event with a win.
"I’m trying to get the Spanish mentality on the clay, apparently it’s not that bad to play with that. We’re close friends and he just had his third baby, so we’re having the energy of a new baby in the team."
"It’s nice to have him, I’ve always been a fan of him as a player, but also as a person because he has such an amazing energy. He’s helping me this week, so hopefully we can have more matches together."
This is the first time Jabeur is back in Madrid after lifting the trophy in the city in 2022. The Tunisian couldn't defend her trophy last year due to an injury, but she's glad to be back this year because Madrid is a special place for her, and she loves to come back whenever she can.
"Obviously I love Madrid so much, my favourite football team is from here so it’s always nice to come back and feel the great energy. This is a city I always tell my husband I would like to live in."
Now, she will try to keep her winning streak in Madrid going against Leylah Fernandez who is her next opponent.
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