THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2022

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/M. Bouzkova

3-6, 6-1, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Ons, semifinals. Tell us how you're feeling.

ONS JABEUR: Very happy. Hopefully my journey will continue. It was a tough match today, but I'm glad I played even better second and third set.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You mentioned it was a real battle, but seemed during that second your level just went up. Is that sort of the best you have played for quite a while, do you think?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I think I played really good from beginning of the second set, especially having a early break kind of helps me gain me the confidence.

I know it wasn't easy playing Marie. She gets all the balls and doesn't make, to win a point, easy for me. I'm glad I stepped in with my game. I was more aggressive in the second set, and especially tactically I was playing some angles that she didn't like much.

Q. You said in the on-court interview you "woke up." What does waking up on Centre Court in the middle of the quarterfinal feel like?

ONS JABEUR: Usually when you're sleeping. Just like I think I was really tight at the beginning of the first set, and I didn't make my shots. I wasn't feeling like it was me really playing. Maybe my sister was. I'm not sure.

But I'm happy that I was serving maybe a little bit better, stepping on the court, and that's me waking up, really.

Q. In tennis, falling behind by a set, does that ever seem daunting to you or bothersome, or because of the format and whether it was 6-Love or 7-6, doesn't matter? You're behind, but you have time to come back. Do you always feel as though being down by a set doesn't matter?

ONS JABEUR: It depends, really, who you're playing. Sometimes mentally it could really be tough, especially knowing that you play someone that is not going to make it easy for you the second set.

But I think with playing a lot of matches and learning how to play better and never give up will help me personally win the second set and the third set.

But I think I just really think about each point. I don't think about, oh, there is another set and another set. I don't know how the guys are thinking about five sets (smiling).

But it's really tough. I think you have to take it each point at a time, each game at a time. That will help you really just go through the match slowly.

Q. You made a lot of history tonight not just for yourself but for your country, for Arab and African tennis. What does that mean to you?

ONS JABEUR: It means a lot. I was hoping that I could get to this stage for a long time already. I struggled few times in the quarterfinal. I'm glad that I can -- because I was talking a little bit to Hicham Arazi, and he told me, Arabs always lose in the quarterfinals and we are sick of it. Please break this. I was, like, I'll try, my friend, don't put this in my hand (smiling).

We were just texting, and he was really happy. He was, like, Thank you for finally making the semifinal. Now you can really go and get the title.

Q. You're playing your good friend Tatjana next. I'm just wondering how mentally and emotionally it changes going into a match playing someone who you are so close with. Also, before the tournament you said you're one of the players that says you don't look at the draw.

ONS JABEUR: No.

Q. Was there any joking between the two of you that you could meet in the semifinal of Wimbledon?

ONS JABEUR: No, actually maybe she doesn't look, as well.

She had a really tough draw, I mean, winning against Ostapenko, winning against Sakkari. Really, she played really good. I know she could play really good on grass.

Obviously it's tough to play her and I was joking with Charlotte, I was telling her, Are you going to support me or your mom? I'm trying to turn all the kids to my side, using the family (smiling).

They are really nice. I'm really happy for her that she's getting what she deserves. I know she struggled a lot. It's not easy coming back after having two babies. It's going to be a great match between us, a lot of respect, for sure.

Maybe not be friends for two hours or, I don't know how long the match will go, and be friends again at the end.

Q. In addition to that, she called you Aunt Ons in German press. How close are you to the kids? I saw a nice video on social media I think before the tournament where you got along with the baby, I think.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I was trying to take the baby, but she didn't let me (smiling).

They are adorable kids. It's so nice to see her with her babies on tour. The fact that she really came back and did everything and, really, she deserves to be here.

I love Charlotte. She's really nice. She's playing tennis, so it's really amazing to see her. The little one is always smiling, great energy. I just love the family in general.

They invited me once to their home. It was really amazing to be with them.

Q. In terms of tactically against a player like her, will it be slice tests constantly in this match? How are you going to try to disrupt what she's been doing to disrupt everybody else so far?

ONS JABEUR: I think it's going to be a lot of slices in this match. You have got to expect that.

I'm gonna play my game. I know I can be aggressive. I can slice, I can change the rhythm. I know on my legs I have to be really ready for the, really, those balls. It's not easy.

Kind of reminds me a little bit of the match I played against Parry, because she really slices a lot and mix a lot. That's what I'm going to try to do. I have to speak more to my coach and see.

Q. There is obviously a lot for you to be happy and excited about. This has been a great run and it's not over. Just want to ask whether there is any element at all of disappointment at the idea of not getting any ranking points for whatever you wind up accomplishing these two weeks?

ONS JABEUR: Maybe, maybe a little bit. I'm not going to lie to you. The more you do good, the more you regret not there is any points.

Honestly I don't just look at myself. But I look at also Tatjana, because she struggled with her ranking to come back. She always wanted to have wildcard, but it's never easy. Now she makes a good run and she doesn't have points. Also for the young German, she really deserves to get points, for Marie, for everybody that went through here.

But, you know, it is what it is. We stop focusing on the points and maybe see the money a little bit is good (smiling).

Q. Just wondering how and when did you learn to slice well?

ONS JABEUR: Me slicing?

Q. Yeah. How did you learn?

ONS JABEUR: I asked my coach, and I told him, how did I start doing this, like the dropshot and everything? He told me, like, maybe from watching a lot of TV before, and picking up a few things. I'm not sure who I watched really, but I just started doing that on my own and he just supported it.

And I'm glad he did. Just I think I always say that it reflects a little bit my character, the fact that I change a little bit the rhythm and not liking routine much is kind of me on the court.

Q. Today I talked to some Japanese junior player who played ITF tournament in Tunisia and she told me she saw your pictures not only tennis site but everywhere in the city. This making semifinal in Wimbledon, what do you think it makes, it means your country, not only for tennis players but also like in general, especially for girls?

ONS JABEUR: Maybe they take my picture to Japan, no? Put it there. (Laughter.)

It really means a lot to see, like -- I haven't been in Tunisia for a couple of months now. I'm not sure what kind of picture they are putting but I'm hoping they are pretty ones.

It's really nice, and I hope, really, I'm trying to inspire the new generation. We know we have a lot of talented players. We have great tournaments in Tunisia, not just juniors but a lot of other ones.

I hope this could push them more to do better and see more players on tour.

Q. Over the past few years, your progress has been very gradual, steady. When you were younger, did you envision it like that? How similar and different is it to how you thought...

ONS JABEUR: Usually I'm impatient and I want the results right away. I didn't imagine taking my time, you know. But it's good that I took my time, because it helped me understand a lot of things. I honestly expected myself to do better after juniors, because I was one of the good ones and seeing other players from, like, my age doing better and I wasn't there. I was kind of jealous. But I also tried to be patient.

You know, everything happens for a reason, and I believe I deserve to be here right now this year, you know.