‘I Can Bother Coco (Gauff)’ – Ons Jabeur Sends Out a Warning Signal to the American Ahead of WTA Berlin Clash

Ons Jabeur is not going to let anyone take away her dreams in tennis! Vying to win the title she claimed in 2022, the Tunisian tennis star is optimistic about her quarterfinal match against Coco Gauff. After all, it was on the grass that Jabeur produced her best career results. She has won three titles on grass and is looking to add a fourth. Therefore, even though she remains aware of the reigning U.S. Open champion’s talent on grass, Jabeur is hopeful of creating her own “magic” on-court.

After winning comfortably (6-7, 6-3, 6-4) against Linda Noskova in the Round of 16, Jabeur has set her sights on Coco Gauff. After overcoming her knee injury from last season, she admitted that she is still not 100% in her form yet. However, that does not come in the way of her zeal to win against the 20-year-old player. Known for her “crazy shots,” lots of spins, backhand slices,  low-speed returns, and drop shots, Jabeur said in an interview, “What I like more on grass is I can use my magic a little bit, the touch, the slices. I feel I can bother a little bit Coco with that.”  

Although she to Gauff in the Roland-Garros quarterfinal, Jabeur claims she knows where to strike the American. Jabeur, who is behind Gauff in their head-to-head count by 2-5, added, “I think she likes slower surfaces. She likes to have her time. But a champion is always a champion. I’m sure she’ll play unbelievable on grass.” Nevertheless, the former World No. 2 has already proved to be a formidable force against Gauff in Berlin during the semifinal match of 2022. The 2022 Grass-courts Championships winner beat her by 7-6, 6-2 in that match. 

Since then, Jabeur has struggled with physical injuries and suffered a round of 32 loss on the same surface last year. Not only that, she also slipped out of the top 10 ranking as well. On the other hand, Gauff has steadily moved up the ladder of success, claiming the world number 2 spot after finishing her quarterfinal match at Roland Garros this season.

Jabeur is not far behind as she is gradually getting back in her form and has already made it to four quarterfinal matches out of the five tournaments that she played. Her Madrid Open and Roland Garros quarterfinal matches also showcase the same. Her strategy for the season is clear. “I always say the more matches I play on clay, the more physically better [I am] and easier the grass season is for me.” Therefore, apart from beating Coco Gauff in her next match, her goal of performing her best in Wimbledon remains the same.

Ons Jabeur talks about her upcoming goal in Wimbledon 

If Ons Jabeur manages to win over Coco Gauff, she will enter her first semi-final of this season. However, the 29-year-old player has her vision clear, as she does not intend to overthink anything. Jabeur, the former finalist at Wimbledon (2022), wants to learn and grow from her experience on-court. With this mindset, she wishes to perform her best in the upcoming Wimbledon. 

Jabeur who entered the quarterfinal of last year’s Wimbledon, said, “Learning from experience, you can play very bad and then make the final at Wimbledon like what happened last year. And I can play really good and win the tournament and still make the final as well. I think the most important thing is to keep really positive every match and to take any positive thing I did this week or last week”

Therefore, for her, “enjoying” her time on the grass is her priority. As she moves forward with new vigor and confidence on-court, the tennis world waits to see another one of her outstanding performances on the grass!