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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: (L-R) Serena Williams of the United States speaks to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new Stadium Court at the Hard Rock Stadium, before the first match of the Miami Open on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: (L-R) Serena Williams of the United States speaks to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new Stadium Court at the Hard Rock Stadium, before the first match of the Miami Open on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Tennis players might leave the sport, but their fans do not forget their legacy. Similar is the case with legends like Serena Williams and Roger Federer. These players led glorious careers on the court, winning not just titles but their fans’ hearts. However, there are some players like Ashleigh Barty who decided to go different ways after showing us a glimpse of what she is capable of doing. Now, African tennis sensation Ons Jabeur can not help but reminisce about her.
The Australian player won her first and last Australian Open in 2022. As the Australians were gearing up for her upcoming legendary career, she announced her retirement. Recently, Jabeur remembered it all.
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Ons Jabeur compares Ashleigh Barty to the likes of Serena Williams and Roger Federer
Both Williams and Federer are not just known for their astounding records on the court. Their legacy stays in the consistency they showed while creating records. As per Jabeur, she also saw the same qualities in Barty and can not help but remember what she has done.
In an interview with the Guardian in January, the African tennis star talked about the legacy of legendary tennis players. These include Venus and Serena Williams and Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. She stated, “The example of Williams sisters, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, & Rafa Nadal is unbelievable.”
Complimenting the world no. 1 Iga Swiatek, she made sure to add the name of the Australian tennis star. She stated, “Now Iga Swiatek is setting the example & Ash Barty did it too. If she continued playing, she would?ve won 20 Grand Slams.”
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Tennis – Australian Open – Women’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 29, 2022. Australia’s Ashleigh Barty celebrates winning the final against Danielle Collins of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Jabeur has not hesitated from making a bold verdict by keeping Ashleigh Barty on the same platform as the Williams sisters and the Big 3.
Ons Jabeur says Ash Barty would’ve won 20 Grand Slams:
“The example of Williams sisters, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, & Rafa Nadal is unbelievable. Now Iga Swiatek is setting the example & Ash Barty did it too. If she continued playing she would’ve won 20 Grand Slams.” pic.twitter.com/LDDg91Okd5
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 26, 2023
However, it might not be wrong because, after 2019, Barty was on a winning streak. She was just one major short i.e. US Open, from winning a Career Grand Slam.
Besides that, it is not just Jabeur who thinks highly of Barty. The former world no. 1 also rooted for Jabeur.
Ashleigh Barty wished for Ons Jabeur to win the Wimbledon last year?
Despite being the defending champion of Wimbledon last year, the Australian tennis star did not watch the match after her retirement.
However, she still rooted for the Tunisian player and wished her to win the title at SW19. She boldly confessed that she did not watch the Wimbledon finals but was “rapt” for Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina.?
Unfortunately, Jabeur could not take the trophy home, but her other favorite Rybakina surely did. Do you think the Kazakh player will be able to defend her title this year? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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Written by
Edited by
Tony Thomas