US OPEN – Before the final against Iga Swiatek: Ons Jabeur, art of rebound and positive attitude

Life is full of surprises. Tops. From down. Of gadins. Rebounds. The day Ons Jabeur was kicked manu militari from Roland-Garros on an inaugural Sunday, she was not thinking about the rest of her season. But on occasion she had just let it slip away. Three sets and Madga Linette sent her back to her studies, after a yet flamboyant earthly spring crowned by a title in Madrid and a final in Rome. XXL disappointment. XXXL bounce.

We are not going to redo the course of the Tunisian in its entirety. But we will simply point out that the last two Grand Slam finals, at Wimbledon, and that of Saturday at the US Open, will have reserved a place for him on the official poster. Holy bounce. “I am a very positive personshe rewound on Friday, after sweeping Caroline Garcia and smashing the dream of the Frenchwoman in the semi-finals. Roland-Garros was a shock because I expected to play well. But deep down I knew I was mentally tired. Physically, I was also tired. I couldn’t really blame myself. I worked hard and tried hard enough to be able to play amazing during the grass-court season.”

A victory in Berlin and a final at Wimbledon. The first of his career in Grand Slam. The epilogue was not at the level of the efforts made. But there too, after his defeat against Elena Rybakina, Jabeur started again, head straight. “The Wimbledon final really hurt me, you know. But that’s how it is. I was very positive after the final, and I knew that a lot of opportunities were coming my way, and here I am again in final.”

Bildungsroman

The rebound was not initiated as instantly as after the disappointment of Roland since the American summer was somewhat complicated, with a retirement in Toronto in the first round. It must be said that she fell from quite a height. Playing a Grand Slam final, losing it, evading disappointment, that’s another story.

Two months later, the Center Court heartbreak is a lesson learned. And a chapter in the learning novel of the Tunisian, 5th in the world. After winning her sixth semi-final of the year (for zero losses), she willingly poured out this experience. “This upcoming final feels more real to me. At Wimbledon, I was living a dream, and I couldn’t believe it. Even after the match, I was doing what I had to do, without feeling realizing that was already a feat.”

Exploit in July, reality in September. “I hope I get used to it, you know, I’m just happy to have confirmed my results from Wimbledon and people aren’t really surprised that I’m in the final. Now maybe I know what I have to do in the final. I know it’s going to be very difficult, but I’m going to have to do my best now.”

If the summer was major in his progress, the whole year taught him a lot. “I learned a lot about my game, about my style, about what I can do on the pitch. Especially when I talk to my coach before games, I feel that now I can do everything I can do and what I want to do on the pitch, which is surprising to me and I surprise myself so many times. It’s going really well, especially this tournament.”

Faced with Iga Swiatek who “never loses in the final”, according to Ons Jabeur, the challenge will be daunting. But it does not frighten the one who is 2nd player in the Race this year, behind… the Polish. “She plays beautifully, but I want to take my revenge” (note: Swiatek beat her in the final in Rome). I think I know exactly what to do against her.”

Future world number 2, Ons Jabeur no longer hides his ambition: “Saying out loud what I want to be is part of my success. I remember saying that I wanted to be in the top 5, to win a Grand Slam and qualify for the Masters. I have validated two objectives. There is one more that will be soon, I hope.”