History is made in the women’s title duel of the Tennis Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon between Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybkina. For the first time, an Arab and a Kazakh player are in the final of the grass classic, for the first time in the “Open Era” in Wimbledon there is a final between two players who have never before been in the final of one of the four big tournaments. Therefore, a new Wimbledon and Grand Slam winner will be chosen on Saturday.
In the event of a triumph, Jabeur would also be the first African woman to win a Grand Slam title. The number three in the tournament and number two in the world rankings has only lost two sets so far, including most recently on Friday in her semifinal victory over her close friend Tatjana Maria from Germany.
Jabeur has won 22 of her most recent 24 WTA games, which brought her the titles in Berlin and Madrid, among others. On grass, she has won all of her eleven matches so far this year. In the head-to-head between Jabeur and Rybakina it is 2-1 for the North African, all three games were played on hard courts.
Not least because of these statistics, Jabeur is considered a slight favourite. However, the 27-year-old showed great respect for Rybakina. “She’s an aggressive player, you can’t give her time. She also serves well and can beat a lot of winners. But I’ll focus on myself and make it as difficult as possible for her,” announced Jabeur.
Rybakina promptly returned the compliments. “Ons has achieved great results this year, it will be a very tough match,” said the 23-year-old. Rybakina lost the Adelaide final against Ashley Barty in January this year, after which it was only enough for a quarter-final participation in Indian Wells. All the more surprising was her advance to the final, where not only the Kazakhs will keep their fingers crossed for her.
Rybakina was born in Moscow, in 2018 the nationality changed from Russia to Kazakhstan. “She is our product. We wish her victory,” said Shamil Tarpishev, president of the Russian Tennis Federation. Russian and Belarusian professionals have been banned from Wimbledon due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Jabeur’s entry into the final has also taken on a political dimension. She enjoys cult status in her home country, and a big reception is organized on her return to Tunis. “The Tunisians have forgotten their problems, everyone is proud of Ons. She is our Minister of Happiness,” said Minister of Sport Kamel Deguich.