DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 16, 2022

Ons Jabeur

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/J. Pegula

6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. That was quite a clean display. Can you talk about the match, how you felt out there.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, it's crazy match. I'm really happy with the way I played. I wasn't expecting that at all, especially after yesterday's match.

But yeah, I mean, playing Jessie is always difficult for me. I've been learning from every match I played her. I know I had my chances all the matches I played her.

I'm glad that I kept it short, not a three-setter. This gives me a lot of confidence for next match, for sure.

Q. You might get Simona next. If it is Simona, what kind of memories do you have from playing her here? The crowd was crazy that day.

ONS JABEUR: Crazy. If Simona wins, definitely is going to be a very, very tough match. Romanian-Tunisian, they're going to fight. It's going to be Romanian-Tunisian anyway. It's going to be a great match hopefully. Simona is playing really good. Even Ruse, she's an amazing young player. We're friends on tour.

It's going to be both friends playing tomorrow.

Q. Obviously no fans last year. Hearing all the football chants today, what does it mean to you?

ONS JABEUR: It's amazing. All Tunisians are crazy. They think it's a football match. It's a crazy atmosphere. Always the crowd pushes a lot. Hopefully I can see more tomorrow.

Q. The only seed standing. Do you consider yourself a favorite?

ONS JABEUR: Well, like I said before, I'm going to take every match like slowly. I came back from an injury, so I want to be realistic with myself. I want to see the real image for me.

My main goal is to be healthy and win matches. Every match I win is a bonus. The season is still long. I don't want to put, like, unnecessary pressure on myself. I don't want to be disappointed after.

Yeah, for now it's working well for me. Hopefully I can continue like that.

Q. But you'd still like to win.

ONS JABEUR: Of course. Who doesn't want to win? Especially me in Dubai or Qatar, it's amazing. I want to really have a WTA one of those days here.