Reuters
Tennis – WTA 250 – Birmingham Classic – Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain – June 20, 2021 Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur celebrates with the trophy after winning her final match against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Reuters
Tennis – WTA 250 – Birmingham Classic – Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain – June 20, 2021 Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur celebrates with the trophy after winning her final match against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
The Viking Classic Birmingham tournament witnessed tennis history on Sunday as Ons Jabeur from Tunisia became the first Arab WTA champion. She is now also the first-ever tennis player from Africa to lift a WTA title. What does this monumental achievement mean to her?
Notably, it was the third WTA final for the Tunisian professional. Before this, Jabeur lost to Russian Daria Kasatkina in 2018 in Moscow and Australian Astra Sharma in 2021 in Charleston. Again, the 26-year-old met the Russian in the WTA 250 Birmingham final, but this time, she won the match 7-5, 6-4.
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Reuters
Tennis – WTA 250 – Birmingham Classic – Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain – June 20, 2021 Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur celebrates winning her final match against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
This was a much-needed victory for Jabeur as all her hard work since the 2020 Australian Open finally paid off in Birmingham. Now, she aims to be an example for her country.
Ons Jabeur expresses her emotions after her first WTA title victory
Jabeur entered the grass court of Edgbaston Priory Club with a clear head and purpose. Therefore, despite losing her serve to the 4th seed, she showed steely nerves and recovered. Moreover, she required only an hour and a half to register her name in the long list of WTA title holders.
Reuters
Tennis – WTA 250 – Birmingham Classic – Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain – June 20, 2021 Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur celebrates winning her final match against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Coming from a country where tennis is not a common profession speaks of the arduous journey Jabeur had to complete to get to where she is today. Now, she hopes that many will follow her lead.
“I knew I had to go for it, I had to win this title to at least breathe, and give an example,” Jabeur said. “There?s not a lot of Tunisian or Arabic players playing, so I hope this could inspire them, and I want to see more Arabic [players] and Tunisians playing with me on tour.”
Ons Jabeur: History Maker
The Tunisian trailblazer is the 1st Arab woman to:
– Win a junior Slam (2011 RG)
– Make a Slam 3R (2017 RG)
– Make a Slam QF (2020 AO)
– Win a WTA singles title (2021 Birmingham)
– Rank inside the Top 70 – Currently highest-ranked ever at No.24. pic.twitter.com/gRvu05P9nr— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 20, 2021
Additionally, the Tunisian professional will now go on with self-belief in the following tournaments. No doubt, the first WTA title must have boosted her hopes for the Wimbledon Championships 2021.
Tennis community congratulates Jabeur on her WTA title win
On this historic win, tennis stars, namely Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, and Victoria Azarenka, wished Jabeur. The two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka even called her “My favorite.”
https://twitter.com/andyroddick/status/1406619264702898183
@Ons_Jabeur congrats to you and team ! 💪🏻great effort !
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) June 20, 2021
My favorite https://t.co/AdzuuIny51
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) June 20, 2021
Hopefully, Jabeur will continue with her winning ways in Wimbledon. Although she has the game, it remains to be seen if she has the drive to win her first Grand Slam title.
The Championships begin on June 28, 2021. Who are your favorites for the title this year?
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