GUADALAJARA OPEN

September 17, 2023

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Ons.

Q. Welcome to Guadalajara.

ONS JABEUR: Thank you.

Q. How does it feel being one of the most iconic Arabic women in the world? Is that a responsibility, a motivation, how would you take it?

ONS JABEUR: It's definitely both for me. It's an honor to represent my country, the African continent and obviously the Arab world. I try to take it as a responsibility to show the best behavior on the court and outside the court.

So, yeah, I'm really glad that I'm doing this and hopefully I can do better job at it.

Q. Do you think the absence of Sabalenka, Swiatek and other players will be a positive fact for you to get closer to the Guadalajara Open title?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, it's definitely better, a little bit (laughing). But I think the conditions here are kind of tough for everyone. This is my first time playing in Guadalajara, so I'm really trying to adapt a little bit. But, yeah, I'm definitely glad to be here. I'm enjoying, honestly, the fans. I didn't expect that they know me that well. So I'm really excited about this. I'm just going to take it one match at a time and see what's going to happen.

Q. How big is travel with the schedule on the WTA? You played in New York, US Open. You were in San Diego, now in Mexico. Next week you're going to China. How big is the travel for you guys on the tour right now?

ONS JABEUR: Well, I mean, it's definitely not the best scheduling. This is the last, let's say, month or so of tournaments. Probably the last three tournaments of my season. It's never easy. So I try to adapt as much as I can.

Honestly, I'm very surprised to be here, because I really enjoy being here with everyone. So definitely this love and the fans will give me the strength to finish well the season.

Q. How do you think sports can help to have a better world, a better society?

ONS JABEUR: A better, sorry?

Q. A better society, a better world.

ONS JABEUR: I think, I always believe that sports can bring peace. For me, tennis did make me learn a lot of things. I'm a responsible person. I am trying to be nice to other people. That for me did help me a lot. I feel like sports could unite a lot of people when maybe they're fighting or not, I'm not sure. But, yeah, it makes it a better world, for sure. The fact that people gets united to cheer for the same team or for the same player, this is a great thing.

Q. First of all, welcome to your home, Guadalajara.

ONS JABEUR: Thank you.

Q. We're so happy to have you here. We hope that you keep coming to the WTA. My question is the following: How do you feel with the absence of Sabalenka, Swiatek and other players? Do you think that you can get closer to win this Guadalajara AKRON?

ONS JABEUR: Definitely. I mean, I'm sure they played a lot this season. I haven't played that many tournaments as before. But, yeah, I think playing a 1000 is always difficult. Still, it's a great tournament. Special conditions for me because I never played in altitude. So I'm trying to adapt and I'm just going to take it one match at a time and see how it's going to happen.

Q. As an African player, you well know the experience and the power of your representation in the world. How is that difficulties and toughness in your career? How can you, like, turn around those stigmas?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, I see it as always a positive thing. There is not a lot of players from my country or from my continent. But it is a big challenge and I believe that someone has to do it from the beginning to show that you can lead the way and you can be one of the great tennis players. But obviously, being from Africa motivates me to do a better job. Hopefully I can inspire more and more African players to come and be on tour.

Q. We saw you in Wimbledon final. Very sad. What defeat would you say is the one that you have learned from the most?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, this year was very, very difficult. I'm grateful to be able to play three finals in a Grand Slam. I know my time will come when it's destined to be. I learned from this final that I feel like I need to be myself more. I need to play more relaxed and just enjoy the game. Sometimes we forget how to enjoy playing tennis. That's something I try to remind myself to do all the time.