Ons Jabeur has addressed her emotional display during the recent Abu Dhabi Open, where she shed tears during her match against Beatriz Haddad Maia and subsequently lost in straight sets. Now competing in the Qatar Open in Doha, Jabeur explained her decision not to conceal her emotions on the tennis court.
In Abu Dhabi, Jabeur experienced disappointment when she was defeated by Haddad Maia. During the match, at a crucial moment with the score at 3-4 in the second set, she became emotional while awaiting to return serve at the baseline. Despite her efforts, she was unable to secure another game for the remainder of the match, ultimately losing 6-3 6-4.
This was a stark contrast to her previous match, where she convincingly defeated Emma Raducanu 6-4 6-1 just days earlier. Jabeur later revealed that she was also grappling with a knee injury during this time, explaining her willingness to express her emotions on court.
Jabeur expressed her perspective, stating that she doesn’t dwell much on the emotional aspect of the game, considering herself an open and emotional person who prefers to be authentic rather than suppress her feelings. She believes in acknowledging and releasing emotions rather than bottling them up, as it ultimately leads to greater internal conflict. She aims to connect with the audience in a genuine and visible manner.
Currently participating in the WTA 1000 event in Doha, Jabeur hopes her knee injury won’t hinder her performance. She acknowledges the ups and downs of dealing with the recurring knee issue, which was particularly challenging during her match against Haddad Maia. However, despite the setback, she remains determined to compete and perform well in Doha.
Seeded No. 4 in Doha, Jabeur received a bye into the second round where she will face Lesia Tsurenko from Ukraine. Looking ahead, Jabeur aims to achieve more victories in the 2024 season, currently standing at a 2-2 match record.