By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, June 5, 2023
It’s mission accomplished for Ons Jabeur after the Tunisian star finally earned her place in the Roland Garros quarterfinals for the first time in her career.
Yet the charismatic and popular star is hopeful her stay in Paris is just beginning.
The No. 7 seed breezed past American Bernarda Pera in their fourth round meeting 6-3, 6-1 to reach the last eight in Paris.
The 28-year-old Jabeur has now reached at least the quarters at all four Grand Slams and is also the first African woman to complete this feat in the Open Era.
“I mean, yeah, it was the only Grand Slam missing. I'm very happy with the performance, with the way I was, you know, playing, especially coming back after an injury,” Jabeur said afterwards. “I was just taking it one match at a time, trying to make it to the second week. Now I'm gonna push more for the next few matches. Yeah, hopefully better than a quarterfinal final here, looking for a semifinal.”
It’s been a tough season so far for Jabeur who has endured multiple injuries.
Despite winning the Charleston title back in April, a calf injury at the other warm-up clay events limited Jabeur’s match time leading into Paris.
Jabeur has tried to maintain a positive attitude despite it all and accepts that injuries happen but they can also lead to emotional growth.
“You know, I have learned a lot how to accept things, either good or bad," Jabeur said. "For me, being injured was part of my path, how the season would have started here this year.
"You know, I worked a lot on my mental health and worked a lot on how to manage all this, because I believe there is a lot of injuries are connected to our, you know, emotional part. I'm trying to manage that.”
Jabeur will next face No. 14 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil who battled past Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-5.
With Jabeur feeling the love of Paris, especially the many Tunisian fans on site, she’s hopeful their love will inspire her to keep winning as she still seeks her first major title.
"I mean, Paris is always romantic, day or night (smiling)," Jabeur said. "Winning here will definitely be an amazing memory for me. For now, I just want to take it one match at a time.
"I will have a very difficult quarterfinal, and from that we will take it and let's see what's gonna happen.”