French Open 2024: Is Fernando Verdasco the New Coach of Ons Jabeur? Here’s What We Know About This Unexpected Friendship

Ons Jabeur is on a roll at the ongoing clay Grand Slam tournament in Paris. After outclassing some of the big guns, like 31-seed Leylah Annie Fernandez, the Tunisian tennis star has now secured a place in the quarterfinal rounds of the French Open. However, the current number 9 player’s stellar run on the Parisian clay isn’t the fruit of her labor alone.

Toiling behind Jabeur during the clay court swing has been her new coach and her close friend, Fernando Verdasco. In the absence of her coach, Issam Jellali, the WTA superstar previously teamed up with the the Spanish tennis veteran for the Madrid Open. Under Verdasco’s tutelage, the Tunisian player reached the quarterfinals in Madrid after defeating the likes of Jeļena Ostapenko and Annie Fernandez.

Even for the ongoing French Open, the Spaniard has donned the coach’s hat for Jabeur, who recently defeated her Danish opponent Clara Tauson in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in the fourth round. Speaking about their coaching partnership, the 29-year-old player also hailed the former number 7 player for his brilliant assistance and his infectious energy on the court.

“I’ve always been a fan of him”– Ons Jabeur is already singing the praises of her new Spanish coach

During her campaign at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid, the Tunisian player couldn’t hold herself back from heaping praise on her new Spanish coach, who has won 7 singles titles during his competitive journey on the men’s tour. She said, “It’s nice to have him, I’ve always been a fan of him as a player.” Aside from his remarkable tennis prowess, Ons Jabeur also lauded the tennis veteran for his ‘amazing energy’ and guidance on the court.

“But also as a person because he has such an amazing energy. He’s helping me this week, so hopefully we can have more matches together,” the WTA player said in a press conference at the Madrid Open. With the Spanish tennis veteran in her player’s box during the clay court swing, Jabeur is now a few matches away from her maiden Grand Slam title. The 9th-seeded participant will lock horns with the third-seeded American, Coco Gauff, in the quarterfinal round of the ongoing Roland Garros.

Do you think that the Tunisian tennis star can taste Grand Slam glory under the tutelage of her new Spanish coach? Let us know in the comments section.