ABU DHABI: Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur on Saturday threw her support behind the potential staging of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, urging critics to be “more informed” on the Kingdom’s interest in the sport.
Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist and former world number two, said she was impressed by the response of Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, to criticism from Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert of the WTA’s possible deal with the Kingdom.
Princess Reema said the two tennis legends based their stance on “outdated stereotypes,” adding that, “failing to acknowledge the great progress women have made in Saudi Arabia denigrates our remarkable journey.”
“Princess Reema’s answer was unbelievable. I think classy, elegant, and every player was impressed with the way she addressed Martina’s and Chris’ letter,” Jabeur told AFP in Abu Dhabi.
“We’re obviously looking forward to go there, I’m personally looking forward to go there.”
The WTA Finals tournament has been in search for a stable home for the past three years.
A 10-year historic deal with the city of Shenzhen resulted in only one staging of the event, in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the reported disappearance of Peng Shuai, led the women’s tour to take its crown jewel elsewhere.
Navratilova, 67, and Evert, 69, each won 18 Grand Slam singles titles between 1974 and 1991.
Their opinion article in The Washington Post last month was headlined: “We did not help build women’s tennis for it to be exploited by Saudi Arabia.”
The strongest bid on the table at the moment is believed to come from the Saudis, and an announcement that the WTA Finals will be heading to Riyadh seems imminent.
“It’s amazing to go there and inspire, not just women, men too,” said Tunisian Jabeur.
“I think it is very important to do that. Hopefully if the WTA Finals goes there, I will be one of the supportive players, to try, not just to go play matches there, but also to do a campaign. To go there and do a lot more than just playing tennis.”
Jabeur, who recently signed a sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund-owned fitness and wellness brand Kayanee, said there are many misconceptions about the progress being made in the Kingdom.
“I feel like people should be more informed about what’s happening in Saudi; more informed about how the country is getting better and better and I feel like it’s important not to just listen to one side; in anything to be honest with you, not just in this matter, but to anything,” said the sixth-ranked Jabeur.
The 29-year-old faced Aryna Sabalenka in an exhibition match in Riyadh in December, with Novak Djokovic squaring off with Carlos Alcaraz at the same event the following day.
Beyond the exhibition matches, Saudi Arabia has made several moves in tennis, staging the NextGen ATP Finals in Jeddah in December, as part of a five-year deal, and appointing Rafael Nadal as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation.
“I honestly feel so safe there and felt amazing. I wish to share this experience with other players,” added Jabeur.
Jabeur was speaking ahead of her participation in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, a WTA 500 tournament which kicks off on Monday February 5.
The No.2 seed will begin her campaign against wildcard Emma Raducanu or Czech Marie Bouzkova and is slated to play doubles alongside former world number one Naomi Osaka.
Ons Jabeur backs Saudi Arabia after criticism from tennis greats
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Ons Jabeur backs Saudi Arabia after criticism from tennis greats
- Tunisian said she was impressed by the response of ambassador Princess Reema bint Bandar
Wawrinka rolls back the years to beat Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan in front of Federer
- 3-time Slam winner upped his level when required to serve his way past Hassan at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
- Top-ranked Arab player on the ATP Tour, Moez Echargui of Tunisia, was also in action on day 1, slipping to the narrowest of defeats to Mpetshi Perricard
DUBAI: Forty-year-old Stan Wawrinka, the three-time Grand Slam winner who is competing in his final Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week, rolled back the years on Centre Court to overcome Lebanese wildcard Benjamin Hassan in straight sets and become the oldest player to win a match in the Dubai tournament’s 34-year history.
Wawrinka’s record was previously held by his Swiss compatriot, the legendary Roger Federer, so it was fitting then that the 20-time Grand Slam winner was inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium to cheer on his fellow Olympic gold medalist.
“I’m not sure it’s the best record of his to have,” Wawrinka joked in his on-court interview as fans switched from cheering his every move to applauding an on-screen image of Federer, who won the title here eight times, including his last at the ripe old age of 37 in 2019. “(The appreciation of the fans) is one of the reasons why I have kept playing for so long — to enjoy these matches and these tournaments. I’m super grateful to all those who came out tonight.”
Wawrinka looked far from a player ready to hang up his racket as he beat Hassan 7-5, 6-3 and without dropping a single service game. That is not to say the German-born Hassan failed to put up a fight, but only that whenever he got close — and he forced three break-points across the two sets — Wawrinka seemed to go up a level. In both games where the Swiss looked like he might see his serve broken, he pulled an ace out of his bag to finish the match with nine aces overall.
“All good things have to come to an end,” Wawrinka said when asked why he is choosing to step away now when he evidently still has so much to offer. “Nobody can play forever and as much as I am passionate and still playing well, I know that it’s the right thing to do.”
Hassan, ranked World No. 289 and making his Dubai debut, revealed he was thankfully not aware of Federer’s presence until after the match, adding: “Stan played really good and was serving unbelievable. I had my chances to come back in the second set but unfortunately missed some returns. It was tough, but I’m happy with my performance. Lots of things to work on, of course, but overall, it was just a privilege to be here, to play my first match, and against Stan — it’s incredible.”
Asked in his post-match news conference whether he had taken the chance to speak with Federer at all, Hassan raised his hand in the air: “I’m never washing this hand again! He came to me and said ‘good match’ and I said ‘thank you’ in German. He looked a little bit surprised to hear that, but, yeah, I will always keep this hand dry now in the shower!”
Another Arab player was in action on day one as Tunisian Moez Echargui also made his Dubai debut, taking on France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round. In a match of the finest margins, Echargui — the highest-ranked Arab on tour at 141, yet ranked 83 places below his opponent — forced three tiebreaks before Mpetshi Perricard edged the final set to progress 7-6 (3), 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4).
Having made his ATP 500 debut last week in Doha, this month is proving eye-opening for the 33-year-old North African as he embraces the experience of playing in such high-profile events. Echargui and his coaches are using the new opportunities afforded to him as a wildcard to improve and learn as much as possible against the world’s best players.
“Going on Centre Court and playing against top players, it is where we want to be, playing in these big tournaments, in front of these big crowds”, said Echargui, whose next stop is Indian Wells next week. “Despite the result, I’m feeling really positive about it. I knew the match would be a hard one, so I just tried to stay focused all of the way through. I’m proud to represent my country and to represent all of the Arab world, especially here in Dubai. It’s such a privilege. It’s been fulfilling — a great experience.”
