Jabeur Downs Maria in Wimbledon Semis, Scripts African History with a Spot in Final

Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur on Thursday scripted history as she became the first Arab and first African woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final. No. 3 seed Ons Jabeur beat Tatjana Maria in three sets in the Wimbledon semifinals. The 27-year-old tennis player from Tunisia triumphed 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. 

Jabeur will clash either 2019 champion Simona Halep or Elena Rybakina in Saturday's championship match. “I'm a proud Tunisian woman standing here,” said Jabeur.

"This shot should be impossible"

A ridiculous winner by @Ons_Jabeur 😱#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/3eunp1c2Fx

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2022

Before Jabeur, the only Tunisian to reach the Top 100 of the WTA rankings was Selima Sfar, who peaked at No.75 in July 2001.

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 “I know in Tunisia they are going crazy right now. I want to see more Arab and African players on the tour. I love the game and I want to share the experience with them,” Jabeur added.

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Jabeur has been consistently upping her game throughout her tennis career. She became the first player from her country to reach a WTA final at Moscow 2018; to make a Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2020 Australian Open, and to crack the Top 50 a month later; to win a WTA title at Birmingham 2021, paving the way for a Top 10 debut in October last year.

(With agency inputs)