Wimbledon 2024: Reluctant Ons Jabeur Reveals How She Finds Solace in Andy Roddick’s Dream That’s Crushed By Roger Federer

Ons Jabeur appears to have made peace with her Wimbledon dreams. The WTA star took a major hit on her emotions after the setback last year when she lost in the final for a second time. It took a while for her to get over the disappointment and therefore, Jabeur wishes to keep things sorted this time. Before even starting her run for the grass-court major title, the Tunisian drew a psychological reference from Andy Roddick‘s unfulfilled yearning.

Jabeur recently revealed that she is considering the thought of having a conversation with Andy Roddick. The need for a conversation emerged just before starting her run for the Wimbledon 2024 title, to set things right in her mind. The Tunisian carries a strong memory of the 2023 final setback and therefore expressed her desire to approach the former pro.

“I’ve been actually thinking about Andy Roddick, how he lost it (the Wimbledon final) so many times and didn’t get to win it,” Jabeur said in a recent interview. Revealing one question that she wishes to ask the American ATP star, she added, “I was meaning to text him and tell him: ‘If you had to change one thing and do it differently, what would you do?’ I’m still hesitating if I should do that or not.”

Jabeur’s defeat against Marketa Vondrousova sent her on a guilt trip as she had a panic attack before the match. This loss was even harder because she hoped to win Wimbledon and then prioritize her personal life a bit more than she does now.

“And I feel like I am honestly playing great tennis, so if I stopped, I am not sure how I am gonna comeback, it’s now or never to win a Grand Slam,” Jabeur explained in a previous interview. Justifying why she badly urges for a win, the Tunisian added, “So, I thought going to the final, and if I can win, I can rest a bit even my body is a little bit exhausted from playing the tournaments.”

Andy Roddick made it to three Wimbledon finals but never won. This was the reason why Jabeur believed he was the one to understand her situation. Despite reaching the finals in 2004, 2005, and 2009, Roddick faced defeats against the legend Roger Federer all three years. Although it isn’t clear if she has had a conversation with the former, her thoughts make it clear that she has set things right in her mind to a great extent.

Ons Jabeur is not “going to put a timeline” on personal and professional lives

Ons Jabeur wants to lift a grand slam trophy before actually moving ahead with her family planning. While her second consecutive defeat in the finals last year shattered the dream, she seems to have rearranged her priorities this time. In a recent interview, the WTA star made it clear that she would not align the thoughts of winning a major title and having a baby.

“One thing I finally came to terms with is I separated having a baby from winning a Grand Slam,” she said. Mentioning the reason behind why she decided to agree on this, the 29-year-old added, “Because they were both in the same line, which was wrong and a bit tough on myself. So I’m like, it’s okay, it’s out of my control, when to have the Grand Slam. I’m not going to put a timeline on it. That also released a little bit the pressure that I have on myself.”

Ons Jabeur just won her opening match against Moyuka Uchijima. As she has things sorted this time, she might just win the final this time around!