Ons Jabeur is determined to fight for her grand slam dream at Roland Garros despite the less-than-ideal build-up.
Jabeur arrived in Paris last year after winning the Madrid Open and losing in the Italian Open final. She looked really good, almost unbeatable unless she was playing Iga Swiatek but it all unravelled in the first round against Magda Linette.
It was a painful loss for the Tunisian, one that left her doubting herself. A year later she's back and ready to fight what she wants - a grand slam. The build-up has been less than ideal. An injury in Stuttgart, rushing back too early and losing easily in Rome.
A stark difference compared to last year but the belief is the same, she's ready. The last time she was healthy was in Charleston which she won and it's a trophy that meant a lot to her because it showed her she can still win and she spoke about it to rolandgarros.com.
I think that title meant a lot because we had a great week of training, without any pain, without suffering, and then match by match you gain more confidence.
Her most recent outing was in Rome losing to Paula Badosa in the opening round. It was an okay outing, her first since the injury but not an ideal preparation ahead of Roland Garros. She still believes in her tennis and methods knowing that they took her before.
You just keep going and remember who you are, remember the ranking that you were. For me, I feel that the game is there, you just need to get back in shape physically and everything, and see what could happen. The draw did not help at all in Rome. I wish I had an easier draw, but it is what it is, it’s tennis and maybe it’s time for Paula to get back to where she belongs.- Jabeur on losing to Badosa in Rome
It won't be easy in Paris with a lack of matches but she's a natural on clay. Not many players have been able to match the level she's shown on the surface in the past year and even Iga Swiatek deems her as one of the best on the surface.
I think I am actually (one of the best on clay). Iga is really amazing and I’m honoured that she said that. The main key is that you adapt to clay, to grass, to hard courts; it’s very difficult to find a complete player. I love clay, I love playing on clay; it’s probably the only surface that I don’t need matches under my belt to play good, and I showed that in Charleston.
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