THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 9, 2022

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/O. Jabeur

3-6, 6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Ons, tough day out there. Just give us your thoughts.

ONS JABEUR: You know, that's tennis. There is only one winner. But it's a great first experience for me. I'm looking forward for my next finals. I'm sure I will learn a lot from this one.

But positive two weeks for me. I'm just going to keep my head high.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Do you feel sort of you let the chance go or Elena played incredibly well to snatch the win herself?

ONS JABEUR: I didn't play my best tennis, let's say, second and third set. She started to be more aggressive. I think she stepped in the court much more and put a lot of pressure on me. That I didn't find a solution for unfortunately today.

I think she played really well. She really deserved to win today.

Q. What did you tell yourself as you went onto the court for the second set? What was going through your head as that first service game unfolded?

ONS JABEUR: I told myself, Don't lose the second set. That's the thing I told myself.

I know I've been winning like the first set, and for some reason like drop in the second set. I was trying, like, really to win my serve at the beginning. I felt like I was going really fast, even making like some mistakes. I felt like she was playing better in the second and third set because she made less mistakes.

I was expecting myself maybe to return better, especially take the opportunities that I have to break her so many times.

It is frustrating to play someone that serves really big and doesn't give you the chance sometimes to take that break. I just telling myself, like, This is not over, I trust you. I even said, I love you, to myself during the match (smiling).

It wasn't meant to be.

Q. You have the plate for Wimbledon as the finalist. What does that mean to you? Is that something you're proud of? Something you wish you didn't have? How do you feel about holding that object?

ONS JABEUR: No, definitely positive about it. I'm very glad with my results. I don't regret anything. I gave it all today. A final, I lose so many at the beginning, then step back and win one more.

I don't disbelieve in myself and I know that I'm going to come back and win a Grand Slam, for sure. This is tennis, and it's part of it. I have to learn from it, definitely. But I'm very, very positive about it.

Q. So many fans around the world were pulling for you. What would you say to them?

ONS JABEUR: I would love to thank them. I really cannot wait to play my next tournament, especially that I'm going to the States, and I know there is a lot of crazy fans there.

This is just the beginning of so many things. I'm very positive about it. I wanted really bad that title. Maybe because I want it too much, I didn't have it. Just the beginning of great things for me.

I'm really trying to stay positive, to really continue, get the more titles that I want.

Q. I wanted to ask you about playing a person who barely reacts during the match, after the match. Is it harder to play someone like that or does it not register what the other person is doing across the net?

ONS JABEUR: I think she does react little bit. Just you have to see it sometimes. I'm usually someone that doesn't focus on my opponent. It could be disturbing if the other person is talking or shouting all the time.

But it's nice to play Elena, to be honest with you. Even when you lose against her, she didn't do any big celebration or anything. I need to teach her how to celebrate really good (laughter).

But she is the player that she is. Maybe that suits her. It's very comforting for her. It's working, so maybe she needs to do that.

Q. Elena going into this match said she hadn't thought she could make it past the second week when the tournament started. You've played her before. What did you perhaps learn about her today and what do you see as her potential?

ONS JABEUR: When I played her, like, before, it was never easy to win against her. I know she hits a lot of winners. It's very frustrating because sometimes you have a lot of opportunities, but you give her a little bit of space, she does very well.

I think she's one of the best from the young generation. I don't know how old she is, but she's really young I think. She really plays good.

I was expecting to do better. But she really deserved that Grand Slam. Maybe because she's shy and she doesn't show her personality. I think her game speaks for her. She's doing an amazing job, and I hope to really see her rising more.

Q. Can you tell us what happened with your parents.

ONS JABEUR: Oh, yeah, that (smiling).

Completely went really bad. I said they don't have the visa. I didn't say they applied and they refused the visa. That's completely wrong. Nothing wrong with applying. They never applied and they never got refused.

As a Tunisian you need a visa to come to the UK. It wasn't enough time to do it obviously. But nothing. No, no, we're good. UK and Tunisia are good (laughter). Good relationships.

Q. You talked about you need to teach Elena how to celebrate. It's the first day of Eid. Will you celebrate tonight, have that barbecue with Tatjana that you talked about?

ONS JABEUR: Maybe not. I don't know where Tatjana is. Did she leave? Maybe, I don't know.

Definitely we'll have a lot of barbecues. Unfortunately I always miss this Eid. Hopefully when I go back to Tunisia, definitely will celebrate with my parents. Probably will go out for dinner with the team and have a nice time. After all, this is really one of the best results that I ever had.

I can't wait to look forward for the next ones.

Q. You said on court you wished your fellow Muslims a happy Eid. Could you talk about the visibility you're bringing to people who can look up to you in this sport which hasn't always been as diverse as others.

ONS JABEUR: It's really amazing to see a lot of fans, not just from Tunisia but from the Arab world. I know a lot of Muslims during me playing wish me a happy Eid. Even when I was serving it was like, Happy Eid. It was really amazing to have them.

I just try to inspire as many generation as I can. It's very nice to play this final. I really cannot wait for more finals for me. I hope they're not really disappointed, but I'll try my best next time.

Q. Will you have time now to go home? If so, what kind of reception do you think you're going to get from those fans?

ONS JABEUR: Yes, I will go home maybe Thursday or something. I'm not sure. Our minister of sports said there is a huge surprise for me. I'm not sure what's going to expect.

I cannot wait to meet Tunisians. They're really amazing. They always support me. I think right now I need their support to really continue and do better.

Q. You said you have nothing to regret in today's match. Do you feel if you had made that consecutive break points on the sixth game in the third set it would have been different result or different story?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah (smiling).

Yes and no at the same time because just really, like, frustrating. Like I said, she can really serve good. That didn't help me returning. She played most of the break points really well. I had to accept it. I couldn't do more. I really tried. Deep inside I really tried everything that I can.

Like I said, I did everything since the beginning of the year to really focus on this tournament. I even have the trophy picture on my phone. But it wasn't meant to be. I cannot force things. I'm not ready for it probably to be a Grand Slam champion. I wait to look forward for the next one.

Definitely if I have another final, I will learn more from it.

Q. As the 'minister of happiness', when you leave London, will you be happy? What will your emotions to be?

ONS JABEUR: Always happy. Like Bob Marley said, Don't worry, be happy.

You know, I really gave it all these two weeks. It's been amazing. A lot of great memories here with the crowd, with you guys. It's really amazing.

Of course, I will leave happy, with a smile, big smile always. Tennis is just a sport for me. The most important thing that I feel good about myself.

Q. The photo on your phone...

ONS JABEUR: Yeah.

Q. ...is that on the lock screen of your phone?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah. I need to take off. I'll show you. There (showing an image of the Venus Rosewater Dish).

Apparently I should have put the other one (laughter).

Q. Heading to hard courts, you've had a great clay and grass run. How are you feeling about your chances on the hard court season?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, I'm feeling good. I'll be probably starting in San Jose. I need some points (smiling).

Just a lot of confidence. I cannot wait to really improve a lot of things in my game. Definitely those few weeks that I had from Berlin, from here, that gives me a lot of confidence.

I cannot wait for the US Open swing. It's going to be amazing. I feel very positive about it.

Q. You talked earlier in the week about how gradual your success has been, the steps you've taken. Does this feel like another step on the way to where you want to get?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, yeah, definitely huge step for me. I felt things really amazing those two weeks. Like I said, I want to be a top-five player, I want to win more titles, I want to win a Grand Slam. Almost there at the last step.

You know, I'm really a positive person. It is what it is. I'm very happy. That will give me definitely a lot of confidence to play more.

Q. What will be your next lock screen?

ONS JABEUR: San Jose, Toronto, Cincinnati.

Q. What will be your next screen, I meant?

ONS JABEUR: My niece. I have to put back her picture (smiling).

But I'll think about the US Open.

Thank you, guys, it was amazing talking to you. See you next year.