US OPEN

August 29, 2022

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/M. Brengle

7-5, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Could you go through the win for us, talk about the match.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, great, great match. First round. It's nice to get the rhythm and go into the draw. I know she was tricky. She has a lot of experience and play different shots from other players.

But I'm glad I got the win in two sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Happy birthday.

ONS JABEUR: Thank you.

Q. There was one moment in the match where you seemed frustrated, tossed your racquet. What were you going through at that moment?

ONS JABEUR: It's kind of weird match. When you lose your serve a lot, you have a lot of break points, so I was just trying to take every opportunity to really go forward in this match.

I believe I could have won the first set not 7-5, but at least like 6-2 or 6-3. So it's frustrating to kind of lose those opportunities.

But at the same time I'm very grateful that I won the first set.

Q. The weather kind of changed during the day. In the morning it was very humid, then windy. Did the conditions take you by surprise at all? Was your warmup the same conditions as when you were actually on the court?

ONS JABEUR: I was praying that the guys' match stayed longer so I would be able to play at maybe 4, 5. It was the perfect timing. Thank God it wasn't that hot. I know it can be humid, but just not for physical for us, but also when you hold the racquet, when it's too humid the racquet slips away and you aren't able to fully play your shots.

The conditions were kind of tricky. Playing from different sides, it kind of changed with the wind. I'm pretty glad I could have adapted sometimes. You have to really know where the ball is coming. Sometimes it's really close to you. You have to really adapt on that.

Q. You spoke about the Race, that you're not so comfortable in the Race. How much is it on your mind? You came so close last year, got injured.

ONS JABEUR: Well, it's a different situation obviously from last year. I know I could be safer than other players, for sure. But you never know. You could have six or five Anetts come up after at the end of the season (smiling).

Maybe I'm still in shock from last year, but just sometimes I want to focus more on my game, focus more on how it's going. We've seen couple of surprises today. Not in my advantage, but...

It could be tricky. So you have to be careful. For me, I'm going to take it match by match.

Q. What do you think it was that contributed to your early struggles? Was it being out on Court 5? Looked like a chaotic environment.

ONS JABEUR: For what?

Q. Was it being out on the smaller court with a big crowd, chaotic, or maybe your first match here in New York, and some nerves?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, I'm nervous every first match. You know me, I don't care much what I play, but you would always love to play on a big court. I have to earn it. Definitely I'm up to that challenge.

Love the crowd there. Love how people are supporting me. Just brings me back how I was playing quallies here, playing first rounds like nobody coming to the show. It just takes me back to before.

I have to build up. Hopefully we'll get to the big stages.

Q. You ran away in the second set.

ONS JABEUR: I mean, it was tricky the whole match. I had a lot of opportunities to break her serve. She's not a big server, so always know I had to really just put the ball in and put pressure so I can get more and more.

I'm just happy that I stayed focused and really went for every game after.

Q. How does it feel being the No. 1 ranked Muslim woman in the world? Do you feel you're inspiring young teenage girls like yourself?

ONS JABEUR: It feels really amazing. I hope, like, I can send a powerful message that if I made it here, everybody could make it here. Especially for women from different countries, especially from the Middle East, from the Arab world, I hope they can believe more in themselves and be here and play at any Grand Slam.

Q. Huge hype around Serena's match. From the players' side, do you feel it? From your perspective, do you feel there's anything different?

ONS JABEUR: Players' side, no. I can see the crowd are really waiting for the match. I really want to watch this match. I'm supporting Serena. I have to. She's really amazing.

I hope she could win as much matches as she can. It's just amazing. I mean, I'm always looking at the articles about the ticketing. It's amazing. Wow, I'm just really impressed. We're really going to miss her on tour.

Q. I apologize for somewhat of a random question. I was inspired by your Instagram post the other day, your husband. Do you fence? Have you fenced in your life? You have a creative tennis approach.

ONS JABEUR: Obviously I knew my husband through him fencing and me playing tennis. We know each other from the national team in Tunisia. We did fence once when we first got married after coming back from the honeymoon. C'mon, I want to do fencing. I spent my honeymoon playing tennis with him (smiling). I was like, Okay, this is my turn.

Yeah, apparently I 'won'. But it was a difficult sport, honestly. But very noble. Very happy that he taught me few things.

We are close to some of his friends, they're Olympic athletes. It was very nice to watch some fencing and know more about it.

Q. You don't fence, practice occasionally?

ONS JABEUR: No. One time. Maybe another time. I'm still trying to convince him to maybe switch the training practice to fencing practice one day (smiling).

Q. Serena might be playing her last matches here in New York. How much do you cherish the opportunity you had to play doubles with her last month?

ONS JABEUR: A lot. We just not play doubles, but I got to know a very nice person. We got a little bit closer. She's really unbelievably nice.

I'm very, very lucky that she texts me from time to time to encourage me. Especially after the run in Wimbledon, she really was there, texted me, was very nice.

I got to practice with her here also, which is unusual for Serena. Again, being part of her tennis career, maybe at the end, yes. I'm just very lucky. I hope we can get little bit closer so she can give me some advices as a tennis player and also as a businesswoman. I'm really intrigued with that.

Q. What do you know about your next opponent? Young and breaking through. Her mom was a champion.

ONS JABEUR: I've seen her play in San Jose against Paula and few other matches. I know she really hits hard. It's going to be very tricky match, not easy. Especially she's American, everyone is going to cheer for her.

Yeah, I have to speak with my coach. Those matches, especially in Grand Slams, are really, really tricky.