Jabeur Hopes Exploits Galvanize Arab Women to Play on Tennis Tour
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36 Friday Sports Friday, July 2, 2021 Jabeur hopes exploits galvanize Arab women to play on tennis tour LONDON: Ons Jabeur says “being the only ‘An honor for me’ Arab (woman)” on the tennis tour “is not easy” She had heard of Tunisian female player Se- but she hopes one day there will be a whole lima Sfar — who reached a career high of 75 in group of them like the Americans and French. the world in 2001 — but had not watched her The 26-year-old Tunisian is setting a fine exam- play. However, to be compared as she was to ple to ensure this is fulfilled by becoming the first four-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist Arazi was Arab woman to win a WTA tournament title in a great honor. Birmingham, England, earlier this month. “I think I grew up with a goal in my head to On Wednesday she brushed aside five-time really be one of the good players,” she said. “It Wimbledon singles title winner Venus was like very, very personal for me. It’s funny be- Williams in straight sets to reach the third cause everybody compares me to Hicham Arazi. round for the first time. “Being the only Arab Since he really was talented player and every- is not easy to be on tour right now,” she said. body is, like, Oh, man, you remind me of Hicham “Hopefully, you never know. Maybe now Arazi, unbelievable. I mean, it’s an honor for me.” someone is watching and wants to be here in Jabeur — who plays Spain’s 2017 Wimbledon my place. I just want to say if I did it, it’s not champion Garbine Muguruza in the third round impossible. Like I said before, I always try to — said as he inspired her so she hopes she can inspire other generations.” do the same for Arab women. “Honestly, he really Williams herself said before the match that inspired me, and I am trying to do the same here,” Jabeur would achieve her goal. “You’re gonna she said. “I like to see how French people are to- see a whole other generation of women from gether, Americans, Australian, and I feel like I North Africa coming into tennis,” she said. “It’s want to see this, you know, with my country. It going to be all owed to her.” doesn’t matter, Tunisia or Egypt or Morocco, I Jabeur — who along with second seed Aryna really want to see more and more players.” Sabalenka has won more matches on tour this There is one barrier she wants to break down LONDON: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur returns against US player Venus Williams during their women’s singles sec- year than their rivals — says former top Moroc- that Arazi did not manage during his successful ond round match on the third day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in can male player Hicham Arazi has been helpful. career. “To be able to pass the quarter-final of a Wimbledon, southwest London, on Wednesday. —AFP Jabeur only realised after the French Open this Grand Slam, like it’s something that I should do,” year he had been writing to her on Instagram said Jabuer, whose best showing is a quarter- since last year’s Australian Open. things that I related during my career right now, added. Jabeur says she did not watch a lot of final at the 2020 Australian Open. “Because it “I’m, like, I didn’t see your messages,” she and I told him, like, We should meet and play.” tennis when she was growing up and it was her was kind of I think with him, with Karim, it was said. “Such an honor, you know. He gave me few “He said, he would have to work on his fitness now husband Karim Kamoun who was more kind of difficult to get past the quarterfinals. So tips about the game. And honestly he did say and the condition to be able to play me,” she “obsessed by Roland Garros.” he has encouraged me to do that.” — AFP as Centre Court gave a standing ovation to Murray wades health workers sitting in the Royal Box. “I think the whole country kind of realized how important they all are, and maybe hadn’t into politics over got the recognition that they probably de- serve up until now,” added the 34-year-old ‘pathetic’ pay to former world number one. “So, yeah, it’s fan- tastic that they have been able to come along and watch some of the tennis. Hopefully the pandemic workers politicians can realize that they deserve more than what they are getting paid just now.” LONDON: Andy Murray battled into the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday and ‘It was a tough a match’ then turned hiss fire on the British govern- Murray was speaking after he had come ment, blasting as “pathetic” the pay offer back from a two sets to one deficit to defeat to key workers fighting the COVID-19 German qualifier Oscar Otte. The 2013 and pandemic. 2016 champion triumphed 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, All week at the All England Club, nurses, 6-2 over the 151st-ranked Otte under the roof health staff as well as the developers of coro- of Centre Court. navirus vaccines have been honored in the The British star, playing in the singles event for the first time since 2017 and ranked Royal Box on Centre Court. But the govern- LONDON: Britain’s Andy Murray wins a point against Oscar Otte in their men’s singles second round a lowly 118 after a battle against hip and groin ment has been criticized for claiming they can match on the third day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wim- injuries, avoided what would have been his only afford to pay a 1 percent increase in bledon, southwest London, on Wednesday. — AFP salaries to staff who labor in the country’s earliest exit from the tournament. National Health Service. He hit 55 winners as he wrapped up a “I think what is it, they got something like place in the third round for a 13th consecutive court is pretty slick,” added Murray after al- set tie-breaker, 13-12. His challenge fizzled out a 1 percent pay rise? It was pathetic,” said time. “What an atmosphere to play in at the most four hours on court. “Considering every- after the roof was closed at 2-2 in the fourth Murray. “They obviously deserve a lot more end,” said Murray. “I needed everyone’s help thing, I feel alright. The hip’s still good. It’s a set. However, the 27-year-old was overjoyed at than that, and, yeah, they have done an amaz- tonight. I did a great job, played some top rest day tomorrow and hopefully I can come the opportunity to play against the former ing job getting us through the pandemic.” shots at the end but it was a tough match.” out and perform well.” world number one. “I told him he’s my icon,” The pandemic resulted in the cancellation He will face Canadian 10th seed Denis An exhausted Otte had played Monday and said Otte of the conversation he had at the net of Wimbledon in 2020. When Murray played Shapovalov for a place in the last 16. “I’m ob- Tuesday to see off fellow qualifier Arthur with Murray. “For me, he’s the best ever. I just his first round match on Monday he watched viously tired. I fell over a couple of times, the Rinderknech with that match decided by a final enjoyed to play against him.” — AFP.