QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 11, 2024

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back to Doha. How does it feel to be back on this side of the world, Middle East, Doha specifically?

ONS JABEUR: I'm very happy to be back. I'm obviously happier than last year. I was very sad to miss it, but I'm glad to be united with my fans here, and hopefully it's going be a great week for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It was a bit tough the last match in Abu Dhabi. How do you feel? How is the knee? How is the mindset?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, yeah, it's the sport, it's tennis. I have been struggling with the knee for a long time, and last week was very, very tough. Hopefully I can recover in time and then play better here in Doha.

Q. You show your emotions a lot. We see when you cry on the court. People are asking more about you, how do you feel, your mindset, because you are showing it. Do you think sometimes it opens too much the door when you have too much...

ONS JABEUR: I honestly don't think about it much. I'm an open book, an emotional person. I like to show myself. One thing I have learned is to accept the emotion, and if I try to hide it, it will not make me feel good.

So it's good to let it out and be done with it than to keep it inside and probably will make more problems for you later. So for me, I really try to be myself, really try to show myself to the crowd and connect with them in the most visible way.

Q. It's a short start of season, but do you feel you're getting into the groove again or are you still looking for the tempo?

ONS JABEUR: I'm happy with my rhythm, for sure. I'm happy that I have been playing better and better in Abu Dhabi. Obviously in practices, been playing like Novak (smiling), but yeah, just the level will come back in the match, for sure.

The most important thing is to be healthy, because when I am, when I enjoy playing, that's when I play my best tennis.

Q. In terms of showing good performance and getting support from the audience, how important this Middle East series is for you?

ONS JABEUR: For me personally, it is very important to be here to connect with Arabic crowds. I feel so much love here in the region, and obviously that's one of the reasons I chose to play Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai, because I feel so good here.

Yeah, looking forward to see more and more crowds. I just honestly feel a lot of love coming from the crowds.

Q. Ten years ago you played the first slam of your career, US Open.

ONS JABEUR: Okay.

Q. In ten years, how much are you changed as person and tennis player? Jabeur has become a champion, and Ons, how is changed?

ONS JABEUR: Oh, definitely yesterday I was a different person, so ten years I was completely different person (smiling).

I think it's the evolution of myself that I see that I'm proud of, to be honest with you. I have come a long way. I have been kind of outsider coming to the tour, but now I feel like more familiar.

I remember myself coming to this tournament as a junior player, but now, you know, coming as a seeded player. And to get that recognition from the tournament, especially this tournament, really helped me. You know, to give me wildcards and to participate in WTA, I feel a lot of progress. I feel like I have gained a lot of more experience and definitely proud of it.

Q. Of course you are kind of like representing female in Arabic region or Arabic culture. Throughout the years, you have been playing this area and every tournament. Do you think that you see more, like, female spectators or, like, more girls start playing tennis, kind of like progress or change? Do you think you see this?

ONS JABEUR: It's definitely a progress. I see more and more women playing different sports, but for me, the most important thing, not just to play tennis but to do whatever they want. I don't want to limit anyone to just playing tennis. I want them to do a different sport, I want them to be successful, I don't know, businesswoman, doctors, anything, journalist.

You know, it's very important to see that, to dare to dream. After all, is their dream, but I do see different women, youngers speaking to me about it.

I'm very happy, but I'm sure we can do much more and I'll try to give that powerful message.