PARIS — Ons Jabeur says she wants to make history for Tunisia and Africa by winning a Grand Slam title after reaching her second successive Wimbledon final.
The sixth seed, a beaten finallist last year, powered back from a set and 4-2 down to beat world number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3.
Jabeur, who has now fought back three times from dropping the first set at this year’s tournament, will face unseeded Czech player Marketa Vondrousova, ranked 42nd, in Saturday’s final.
The Tunisian trailblazer last year became the first African and Arab woman in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.
The 28-year-old has admitted she cannot bear to watch the video of last year’s final, which she lost to Elena Rybakina after winning the first set.
Jabeur, who also lost in the US Open final in 2022, said the Tunisian fans were always behind her, whatever her results.
“The good thing about those people, they always tell me, ‘Win or lose, we love you’,” she said according to AFP.
“That’s great words to hear. I always try to remember that, even though I know everybody wants me to win. They’re funny, because a few fans are texting my mental coach, giving her advice on how to coach me.”
But the 28-year-old said she was laser-focused on winning.
“For me there is one goal,” she said. “I’m going for it. I will prepare 100 percent. Hopefully I can make history not just for Tunisia, but for Africa.”
Jabeur said the “old me” would have lost Thursday’s semi-final against Sabalenka.
“I’m working on myself like crazy,” she said.
“You have no idea what I’m doing. Every time there is something, I’m very tough with myself, trying to improve everything. Very impatient sometimes, which is not good.”
The Tunisian star said she had been focusing on the mental aspects of her game.
“I know if you are not ready physically, mentally you can always win. That’s probably what happened in the last two matches.”
Jabeur has had a tough run to the final, beating two-time former champion Petra Kvitova in the last 16 and third seed Rybakina in the quarter-final.
By doing so she became the first woman to defeat three top-10 players at Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2012.
But she said she could not afford to take her eye off the ball on Saturday, even though she is taking on a player far lower down the rankings.
“I think a final is a final,” she said. “You’re playing someone, Grand Slam champion or not. I think it’s going to be very difficult.
“It can happen for both. Whoever could handle more the emotions, whoever could be more ready on the court, will definitely win that match.
“For me, that’s why I said I want to focus more on myself. I want to make my path worth it, winning against all these Grand Slam champions to be in the final. Yeah, I’m going full in, and hopefully this time it will work.”
Svitolina never gave up, pulling back to 4-3 from four down in the second stanza, but Vondrousova regrouped to seal the win in 75 minutes.
“It’s crazy that this is happening,” sighed Vondrousova, while a disappointed Svitolina, who’d been watched by Vadym Prystaiko, Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, in the Royal Box, was tearful as she said she hoped her efforts would help Ukrainians fight for their dreams.
It was also a remarkable comeback by Vondrousova, who as a tourist watching her friend play at the last Wimbledon still had her racquet wrist in plaster.
“I didn’t play for almost six months, so it was very tough,” she said.
“I’m just so grateful to be here. Clay or hard, maybe it’s possible. But grass was impossible for me.”
In the second semi, the ever-popular Jabeur was one point away from going a set and 5-3 down, but rallied in dazzling fashion as Sabalenka faltered, missing out on going to world No.1 with this defeat.
“I’m going for my revenge. I have lost to Marketa twice this year. We’re both hungry to win and both win our first grand slam,” she said.
As for the vast expectations on her as a potential first woman winner from north Africa, she smiled: “The good thing is they always tell me, win or lose, we love you.
“I’ll always try to remember that. But there is one goal, and I’m going for it. Hopefully, I can make history, not just for me but for Africa.”
