Ons Jabeur misplaced the 2022 US Open closing to world primary Iga Swiatek
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur returns to the Australian Open on Tuesday, decided to lastly “get the Grand Slam title” that has to this point eluded her.
The 28-year-old missed final 12 months’s occasion in Melbourne via harm however went on to complete as runner-up at each Wimbledon and the US Open, changing into the primary African or Arab girl to succeed in a Grand Slam singles closing within the Open period.
Now ranked quantity two on this planet, Jabeur has outlined her ambition to go one additional as she embarks on her marketing campaign at Melbourne Park.
“I need to be primary on this planet – not simply the quantity, but in addition the extent and the self-discipline round it – and I need to win extra titles and get the Grand Slam title for certain.”
Jabeur misplaced finals to Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon after which Iga Swiatek in New York – defeats which have supplied her with added motivation.
“I’ll attempt to use that have from final 12 months as a result of it was type of robust,” she stated.
“My purpose is to not lose any extra finals, however simply use that to be prepared for the following one.
“The purpose as second on this planet is to be within the second week, to make finals.”
Jabeur’s first-round match in Australia can be towards Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek – ranked 98 on this planet.
Dubbed the ‘Minister of Happiness’ in her residence nation, the place she is seen as an inspiration, the Tunisian is aware of a lot is anticipated of her in 2023.
“I like this sort of strain. I will put extra strain on myself as a result of I really feel like generally you simply want that to be one of many high gamers,” she stated.
Jabeur has famously spoken of holding trophy footage on her cell phone’s lockscreen to assist spur her on to success.
When requested if the Australian Open trophy is the present image, she gave a coy reply at her pre-tournament information convention.
“I am unsure if I can inform you,” Jabeur joked.
“I am going to offer you a touch. There may be one trophy there. Truly, what, there’s one trophy in my cellphone and one trophy in my husband’s cellphone. So totally different ones.
“It is at all times been nice for me that I inform you guys what I need to obtain. I inform you my objectives. I put it on the market and it is like I make a promise for you guys and I hate to interrupt my guarantees.”
Ons Jabeur needed to miss final 12 months’s Australian Open via harm
As for her competitors this 12 months in Melbourne, Jabeur says, opposite to opinion, there aren’t that many contenders for the ladies’s singles title.
“There are a whole lot of gamers to look out for. I can identify a couple of but it surely’s not that huge open,” she stated.
“I feel 5 of them may win this Slam for certain, however 5 just isn’t that open.”