MELBOURNE (Australia): Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal on Sunday after she defeated China’s Wang Qiang in the Australian Open.
“Believe. Quarterfinal baby,” Jabeur tweeted after winning 7-6 (7/4), 6-1.
Jabeur, the highest-ranked Arab woman in history — she reached a career-high 51 last year, and is now 78th — will next play America’s Sofia Kenin in the last eight.
‘I’m 100 per cent Tunisian product’
She now wants to inspire the Arab girls in her country and Arab world.
“I’m trying to inspire many (of the) young generation back home either in Tunisia or the Arabic world, especially in Africa, which is amazing,” Jabeur said .
“I mean, it’s not impossible. I made it. Like I said before, I’ve been practising in Tunisia from the age of three through 16 or 17. I’m 100 per cent Tunisian product,” added Jabeur.
The unseeded 25-year-old knocked out Wang, who upset Serena Williams in the previous round.
Africa’s number one, the first Tunisian woman to win a main-draw match at the Australian Open, said she had received messages from people watching in the early hours back home.
Sfar first Tunisian woman to win at a Grand Slam
Selima Sfar is the only other Tunisian woman to win at a Grand Slam after she reached the second round at Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the US Open in the 2000s.
“I’m receiving a lot of messages, especially people waking up at 5 am in the morning to watch my match. I’m really proud,” she said.
“Hopefully they can still watch me and follow more, not just in the Grand Slam but the other tournaments. It will be really amazing. I really hope I can give a good example.”
Jabeur’s success has not come easy — Tunisia has been through a period of upheaval surrounding the revolution of 2011, with security parlous for a time.
“It was little bit tough after the revolution. It was not really safe at the time. Now everything, like, is normal,” said Jabeur.
