A Fan Favorite Is Still Trying to Clear Her Major Hurdle

Jabeur developed into an elite participant comparatively late in her profession, and didn’t break into the highest 20 of the singles rankings till Aug. 16, 2021. Her twenty ninth birthday is Monday, the day earlier than she faces Camila Osorio, a Colombian ranked 68th, within the first spherical of the U.S. Open. It is realization that helps her deal with the frustration of going 0-3 in main finals. Sometimes, it simply takes time.

Always prepared with a fast one-liner and infrequently poking enjoyable at herself and others in a playful approach, Jabeur elicits smiles wherever she goes. At the latest event close to Cincinnati, Iga Swiatek, the world’s top-ranked participant, lamented the vicious messages she receives on social media after sure matches, typically from disgruntled gamblers. They will typically lash out at gamers, even after the gamers win, as a result of it was not by sufficient to win a guess. Swiatek mentioned she had acquired abuse for successful a match in three units as an alternative of two.

“I believe these people should not exist,” Jabeur mentioned in help, then added, “But, yeah, next time, Iga, don’t lose a set.”

She was joking, in fact. And she is among the few gamers who could make such a remark with out incurring the wrath of fellow gamers. They understand how she is and acknowledge her wit. Before she misplaced to Aryna Sabalenka in a quarterfinal on Aug. 18 in Ohio, Jabeur referenced her victory over Sabalenka at Wimbledon a month earlier.

“I know she didn’t forgive me for Wimbledon semifinals,” Jabeur mentioned with a smile.

But when the match commenced, Jabeur injured her proper foot. An athletic coach taped it tightly and Jabeur completed the match, however she was not transferring nicely, elevating issues for a way she would fare at this U.S. Open, the place she is seeded fifth. Sabalenka, regardless of their rivalry and regardless of Jabeur’s cheeky remark about not being forgiven for Wimbledon, was sympathetic towards her in style opponent.