Ons Jabeur forever the pioneer.
Not content with having been the first African player to qualify for the knockout stages of a Grand Slam tournament, it was at Roland Garros in 2017, the Tunisian has since done even better.
At the Australian Open in January, she climbed to the quarterfinals for the first time.
And nothing seems to hinder its progress since this Monday, the number 30 seed (35th world) will fight against the American Collins for a place in the quarter at Roland, her tournament.
The one who revealed it to the whole world.
“Tomorrow
(Editor's note: this Monday)
, life will stop throughout the country, assures Hajer Driss, a friend of the champion, opinion leader in Tunisia and university sports teacher.
Tunisian men now watch Ons matches in cafes.
"
It may seem like a detail to us, but in a country where football is king, the broadcast of the player's matches is unanimous, including among men.
"On television, there is football, politics and Ons matches", summarizes Hajer Driss.
With the constant progression in the world hierarchy, the Jabeur effect is clearly felt according to the president of the Tunisian Tennis Federation Salma Mouelhi-Guizani.
“We had 5,000 licensees, we now have 10,000. And from 30 clubs we have gone to 50. And I am talking about clubs set up in regions among the most deprived like Sidi Bouzid (south, cradle of the Jasmine revolution ).
It's a locomotive.
"
"A glimmer of hope in a delicate moment for the country"
The one who was named Arab sportswoman of the year 2019 and works with a 100% Tunisian structure in which her husband fills the role of physical trainer, leads a whole country behind her.
"It is always available for associative or charitable actions as are icons", indicates Hajer Driss.
"It brings a lot of hope and happiness to the Tunisian people", adds Salma Mouelhi-Guizani.
The player, who used to wear the Tunisian flag with each of her Porte d'Auteuil victories in 2017, is the perfect standard-bearer.
"I used to say that she is our best ambassador for our country and for the women of our country", abounds Hajer Driss.
"What matters most to me in any case is to have the Tunisian people supporting me," confirmed the person after her victory in three sets on Saturday against the Belarusian Sabalenka (12th in the world).
I know he had high expectations for me to get far in the tournament.
I will try to represent my country as well as possible.
"
In the midst of a pandemic, Tunisia, very dependent for its trade balance on income derived from tourism, is suffering greatly.
Ons Jabeur is lucky to be one of the only professional Tunisian sportswomen in activity.
"It is a beacon of hope at a very delicate moment for the country both economically and politically", concludes Hajer Driss.
