Ons Jabeur continued to blaze a trail as she clinched the biggest career title at the Madrid Open on Saturday.
Tunisia’s Jabeur defeated American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 0-6, 6-2 to win her first WTA 1000 crown.
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The 27-year-old already has a few historic efforts to her name: she is the first Arab woman to break into the top 10 rankings and last year became the first Arab woman to win a WTA title.
Dreams do come true 🏆😍
I love you all!! 🙏🇹🇳Thank you Madrid, thank you to everyone who came and supported me. I am so grateful. Thank you to my familly and to the best team: Karim, Issam & Mélanie, you guys are amazing! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3Bge7Qvr6G
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) May 7, 2022
Jabeur had been in scintillating form at the claycourt tournament in Madrid, defeating former French Open champion Simona Halep en route the final.
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She produced a determined display against Pegula to end her journey in the Spanish capital on the perfect note.
“I honestly still can’t believe it. I went through a roller coaster of emotions during the past few days, just after the semi-final,” said Jabeur, who had won just one of her previous five WTA finals.
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“I was really stressed trying to breathe,”
“I really didn’t want to get disappointed again. I thought my heart was going out of my chest today. I’m very happy and trying to realise that I won today really.”
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Jabeur survived both set points in the first set and a second-set bagel before making her way to a one hour and 54-minute victory over Pegula.
