Ons Jabeur: ‘This is the most painful loss of my career’
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur was crestfallen after losing the Wimbledon women’s singles final for the second year in a row.
Jabeur suffered a straight sets defeat to unseeded Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday 15 July.
She has now lost three Grand Slam finals in pursuing Major glory.
In heartbreaking scenes, Jabeur broke down in tears at the trophy presentation.
“It will be tough to speak because this is very tough,” Jabeur said.
“I am going to look ugly in the photos so that’s not going to help. I think this is the most painful loss of my career.”
She congratulated her opponent who has seen a promising career stunted by injury but hs made it back to the big stage.
“I want to say congratulations to Marketa and her team for this amazing tournament. You’re an amazing player,” Jabeur added.
“I know you have had a lot of injuries, so I am very happy for you.”
Jabeur vowed to return and finish her Wimbledon story with a championship win.
“It’s going to be a tough day for me today. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to come back stronger and win a Grand Slam one day.
“It was an amazing tournament for me. I wished I continued to the end. I want to thank my team for always believing in me.
“We are going to make it one day, I promise you.
“Thank you for coming, cheering for me, the energy is amazing from day one at Wimbledon. I appreciate your support. It’s been a tough journey but that’s tennis.
“I promise I will come back one day and win this tournament.”
Last season Jabeur would pick herself up from Wimbledon heartbreak to reach the US Open final only to suffer another loss in a Grand Slam final.
Jabeur has won titles at WTA 250, 500 and 1000 level but is yet to claim a Grand Slam, Tour Finals title or an Olympic gold medal.
However, she remains an iconic trailblazer for the WTA Tour and a player who has the quality to win the biggest of titles.
There will be one more shot at Grand Slam glory this year when Jabeur and the WTA Tour roll into New York, and 2024 promises massive things for the women’s game with Olympic Gold also on the line with Roland Garros to stage both a Grand Slam and the Olympic tennis tournament for the Paris Games.
READ MORE: Marketa Vondrousova dominates championship match to win Wimbledon title
