Ons Jabeur joined Iga Swiatek as the second player to qualify for the 2022 WTA Finals, which will be held in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jabeur has established herself as a worldwide fan favorite this year. The Tunisian is an inspiration to women in the Middle East and North Africa but fans at tournaments around the world give the 28-year-old great support.
Her outstanding achievements on the court mean she is the second player to qualify for the WTA Finals. Jabeur reached a maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, beating players like Elise Mertens, Marie Bouzkova, and Tatjana Maria.
Jabeur was within touching distance of the title after taking the opening set in the final against Elena Rybakina, but the Kazakhstani stormed back to win the final two sets 6-2, 6-2, and deny the crowd favorite.
The Tunisian responded to that loss by reaching the US Open final, but it ended in heartbreak again after Iga Swiatek triumphed 6-2, 7-6. In the press conference afterward, Swiatek was surprised with her favorite dessert, tiramisu.
Jabeur did win her first WTA 1000 title before those disappointments. She defeated Simona Halep to reach the Madrid Open final before beating Jessica Pegula, who drank a beer in a press conference after losing in the US Open quarterfinal, to secure the title.
That achievement was followed by reaching the Madrid Open final just eight days later. But she was thrashed by Swiatek, who claimed one of the six titles she won during a 37-match winning streak this season from February to July.
After her place at the WTA Finals was confirmed, Jabeur called it an honor and admitted it had been a goal of hers at the start of 2024.
“It is such an honor to qualify for the WTA Finals. It was my goal from the beginning of the season to play the tournament and I can’t wait to compete as one the top 8 players in the world.”