Ines Ibbou and the Thiem video: "Just wanted to tell him that his words were disrespectful"
Algerian tennis player Ines Ibbou made a video about the tough struggle for her career in the tennis world - and criticized Dominic Thiem for his statements.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: May 12, 2020, 10:47 am
In the nine-minute clip Ibbou, currently number 620 in the world, speaks directly to Thiem several times. "Dear Dominic, if you only knew ..." It shows her hard way in Algeria, without funding, without sponsors, without tournaments, without regular training opportunities, in the constant struggle for a visa. Without money.
Thiem had recently commented in the Kronen-Zeitung about the planned (voluntary) aid fund to the extent that he did not like a general donation. "I played on the Future Tour for two years myself. There are a lot of people there who don't give everything for sport."
Ibbou is certainly not one of them. She felt hurt and disrespected by Thiem's words , she said in an interview with thenational.ae .
Thiem: "I didn't say that hard"
Thiem himself had received some criticism, including from Dustin Brown and Nick Kyrgios. The Austrian, however, put his words into perspective afterwards. "What I said came across a bit hard. I didn't say that hard," said Thiem , who remained on the point of view. "It's a fact anyway, and not just now. There will always be people, animals and organizations who need support much more than any athlete."
Ibbou himself does not want to blame Thiem for her situation, or money from him. "I just wanna tell him that the words he used are disrespectful. But I’m open for everything. I don’t want to be close-minded. If he wants to talk, I would be open to talk."
Her video has also reached Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who addressed her. In no case will Algeria neglect a talent like Ines Ibbou, he wrote on Facebook. The Minister of Sports would take care of their needs.