Who says controversies end on a bad note? Maybe it doesn’t have to in the case of Ons Jabeur and Chris Evert, wherein the latter found herself in hot waters after remarking on a gender stereotype at the US Open. While the retired American pro might not be out of trouble just yet, Nick Kyrgios has stepped in to calm the atmosphere.

Embroiled in controversy, Evert recently faced flak after notably comparing Karolina Muchova’s performance to that of male players after the latter downed Naomi Osaka in the second round of the Flushing Meadows event. Perturbed by her comments, Tunisian star Jabuer took to her social media and outrightly slammed the former World No. 1 for her commentary at the hardcourt Slam.

“Muchova is an amazing, talented player. She doesn’t have to be a guy to have great serve, volley, or movement. Can we please stop stereotyping based on gender?”  Just when Jabuer’s reaction was humbly acknowledged by the American, an expected reply entered the chat.

Australian tennis sensation, Kyrgios, sided with the two-time Wimbledon finalist’s criticism of Evert’s. Replying to the Tunisian tweet, the former World No. 13 agreed that Muchova’s game was nothing less than “amazing”, an opinion that was evidently showcased when the Czech star outclassed Osaka in straight sets in New York. To pour oil on troubled waters, the Aussie hilariously asked Jabeur’s help with his slice technique. “I agree! SHE WAS AMAZING. Why does it matter, her volleys were amazing. She was unreal. ONS teach me your slice pls lol, mine hits the fence.” To much hilarity, the Tunisian later remarked that the duo should take some pointers from Muchova instead.

For those unaware, this isn’t Jabeur’s first jab at demanding gender equality. Notably, earlier this season, the former World No. 2 laid bare her thoughts on women athletes while crediting some of tennis’ greatest players’ contributions.

Ons Jabuer on women’s sports – “We deserve better”

The Tunisian star is frustrated. Well, and there’s this only one subject that irks her. It’s when men’s tennis marks the exclusion of women’s tennis matches. During a post-match presser at the Madrid Open, the 30-year-old extensively talked about the disparities that existed within the sport’s community and offered suitable remedies to address those issues.

Moreover, while demanding better inclusivity of female players, Ons Jabeur also credited Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova for inculcating a change in WTA and helping women’s tennis advance with their actions. She said, “I feel like they need to respect women more and they need to respect how we are playing. I think women’s tennis has come a long way. Very grateful for Billie Jean King and all the other women that fought hard, Serena, Maria, all of them.”

There is no doubt that female stars have risen to prominence in the sporting world in the past few years. While they still have a long to go before they achieve absolute gender equality, efforts from players like Jabeur will go a long way to reach that goal efficiently.