TRACY AUSTIN: This is the most exciting and tough-to-call women’s final at Wimbledon I can remember in years… a win for trailblazing Tunisian Ons Jabeur would be seismic for Africa
- Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina meet in Saturday’s Wimbledon women’s final
- Northern Africa is not a hotbed of tennis but Jabeur has risen to world No 2
- Her superstar status would soar out of this world if she won the tournament
- Rybakina is lesser known and did not look primed to progress this far at SW19
This is the most exciting and tough-to-call women’s final I can remember in years and I cannot wait to watch it.
Both players are first-time Grand Slam finalists and have the tools to win, but the big question is how they emotionally handle the gravity and importance of the day.
I picked Ons Jabeur, the trailblazing world No 2, as a pre-tournament favourite to go all the way and here is her big chance.
Northern Africa is not a hotbed of tennis but Ons Jabeur has worked hard to rise to world No 2
First of all, to get to a Grand Slam final is an incredible story in itself coming from Tunisia.
Northern Africa is not a hotbed of tennis but she fell in love with the sport and, from that day, was dedicated to making it as a professional at the top level.
She is an entertainer, versatile with a variety of shots and has flair and charisma. Jabeur won the French Open Juniors aged 16 and got a lot of press for her talent.
But she is now 27, so a late bloomer by women’s tennis standards. And it has been a difficult journey to the top, given her upbringing.
The Tunisian is an entertainer, versatile with a variety of shots and has flair and charisma
She has said herself that, because she had so much skill and the game came easy to her, she had to learn to be more disciplined and work harder.
The crowd really enjoys her tactical nous — changing speed and spin — and her game is really set up to conquer grass-court competitions.
A Jabeur win would be seismic for Africa. We’ve already seen an uptick in players in the continent, but winning a Grand Slam, especially Wimbledon, is a whole different level.
It is like when Li Na won Roland Garros in 2011 and the Australian Open in 2014. Since that, we have seen a surge in Chinese players.
Elena Rybakina is lesser known and did not look primed to go this far in a grass tournament
They call Jabeur the minister of happiness and this was really highlighted when she went over to put the spotlight on her beaten semi-final opponent and good friend Tatjana Maria.
Ons is already a trailblazer, but to win Wimbledon would put her superstar status out of this world.
Elena Rybakina is lesser known and though it seems she has come out of nowhere the world No 23 had momentum before Covid hit. That being said, she did not look primed to go this deep into a grass tournament.
Rybakina had some big wins in the early rounds, but the victory over Simona Halep was where she really stood out. She attacked the Romanian’s serve in the semi-final, which made her feel uneasy, forcing nine double faults.
Rybakina stood out against Simona Halep in the semi-finals after some big wins early on
Her poker face should help her as she doesn’t give much away. The key is can she repeat her Halep display? For somebody to outwit an in-form Halep is really something.
The beginning of the match will be so important and telling. Last year, Karolina Pliskova lost her first 14 points and, despite improving, went on to lose.
When both players walk into the lobby, with the names of the past champions, it is all so elegant but will tick up your nerves a notch or two.
If Rybakina repeats her Halep display and is dialled in, it will be incredibly tough for Ons. But Jabeur will give variety and that might put her opponent off her rhythm. It will be fascinating to watch.
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