QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 12, 2025

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/S. Kenin

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Welcome, Ons, congratulations on reaching the quarterfinal. Can you describe your thoughts on this match.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, it was a pretty tough match. I know Sofia plays unbelievable tennis, and, yeah, it was a bit tense for me, even though the score was two sets, but, yeah, definitely a tough match, and looking forward for the next one.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English first.

Q. Another commanding win. You said it was tough, it was tricky, but how important was that flying start for you, especially against Sofia with the record that you have against her?

ONS JABEUR: Definitely an important start, but, you know, I knew she was going to play better after, and I needed to take the first set and see how the second set goes. Definitely it was a very intense match. She plays, she had like really tough strikes, and it was very difficult to control, you know, her game, but, yeah, I'm very glad that the opportunities that I got, I was able to take them.

Q. I was talking to a few fans who came out to support you, and the common sentiment was that you were back to your best finally, and you also sort of said before the tournament that you feel a lot better than where you were around this time last year. Has that hope turned into belief, or is it a bit too early to call?

ONS JABEUR: To be honest with you, I try not to look at the past as much as, you know, be in the present right now. If I say I want to be the same player that I was last year, or basically two years ago, the tennis has evolved and has changed a lot, and I feel like I try to improve a lot of things in my game, and that definitely is the case.

For me, right now I'm a better version of myself, I'm evolving, and I'm getting better on and off the court, and that's something that I'm looking more forward to. I feel like the results or anything else will follow, if I am a better player on the court the results will follow, and the ranking as well.