Ons Jabeur continued to blaze a trail as she defeated 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in the fourth round of Wimbledon.
The Tunisian No.21 seed became the first player from her country and the first Arab woman to reach the quarterfinals at SW19 after sealing her third straight win over a Grand Slam champion.
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She is also the first Arab player, man or woman, to reach the Wimbledon last eight since Egypt’s Ismail El Shafei, the former ATP World No.34, in 1974.
Queen of the Drop Volley 👸
🎥: @Wimbledon | @Ons_Jabeur pic.twitter.com/6dYRyRbIvK
— wta (@WTA) July 5, 2021
It is her second Grand Slam quarterfinal following the 2020 Australian Open.
After winning her fourth round clash, Jabeur revealed that she had recieved a message from 20-time major champion Roger Federer.
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“Actually I got congratulated by Roger [Federer] after my match, which was amazing,” she said during her post-match press conference.
“I think now I’m good in my tennis career. He was very nice. He took the time to say congrats. That inspires me a lot and gives me the hunger to win more.”
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The Tunisian trailblazer, with a smart and skilful game, has won over a few high-profile fans in the last few weeks.
Former world No 1 Andy Roddick had congratulated her after she won the Wimbledon tune-up event in Birmingham to become the first Arab woman to win a WTA title.
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“I get inspired by many players, be it tennis players or other athletes,” Jabeur said. “Andy Roddick was my idol before. I looked up to many players.”
On Monday, Andy Murray’s mother and acclaimed coach Judy Murray also expressed her admiration for the 26-year-old.
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“ONS JABEUR. Incredible player,” Judy Murray tweeted. “So fun to watch and breaking down barriers in tennis on a weekly basis.”
She will take on No 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka made the last eight of a Grand Slam for the very first time after she defeated Elena Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Manic Monday.
