WTA Berlin: Ons Jabeur wants to defend her title
Ons Jabeur will try to defend her title at the WTA Tour 500 tournament in Berlin. This was announced by the organizers of the bett1open on Thursday.
by p.m
last edit: Apr 28, 2023, 08:39 am
Ons Jabeur is not just an outstanding tennis player. The charismatic Tunisian is a role model and a shining light for all sports enthusiasts on the African continent - and the darling of the audience at the bett1open. Last year, the 28-year-old right-hander secured victory in the tournament in Berlin.
Now it is certain: Ons Jabeur will be back in the German capital to defend this title. It won't be easy. Because at the bett1open 2023, which takes place from June 17th to 25th and is endowed with 850,000 US dollars, on the lawn in the Steffi Graf Stadium of the LTTC "Rot-Weiß" e. V. in Berlin's Grunewald the strongest players in the world.
Fourth in the world rankings Ons Jabeur says: "I'm really excited to be back at the bett1open and to be in beautiful Berlin in June. The grass there treated me very well. I hope to be able to repeat my tournament success. And I'm looking forward to the many fans to be able to create this very special atmosphere with them again."
In 2022, Ons Jabeur had confidently made it into the final in Berlin. There she met Belinda Bencic. After Jabeur had won the first set 6:3 and led 2:1 in the second round, Bencic had to retire due to injury.
Last year's final Jabeur against Bencic
The success in Berlin gave Jabeur an enormous boost. After that, she made it to the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. Never before had a woman from the Arab and African world got so far in a Grand Slam tournament. Also interesting: Jabeur also won her next and so far last tournament victory on the WTA tour against Bencic. Three weeks ago she defeated the Olympic champion from Switzerland 7:6 and 6:4 at the WTA tournament in Charleston.
So is there a Jabeur title hat-trick against Bencic in Berlin?
Wait. Barbara Rittner, tournament director of bett1open, is very happy about Jabeur's acceptance: "Your game is a feast for the eyes. Ons has the largest repertoire of tricks up her sleeve of any player.”
Jabeur's Tunisian fans are also a feast for the eyes and ears. Last year, they had already created an excellent atmosphere in the jam-packed stands of the Steffi Graf Stadium during their games.
In addition to the reigning Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, the reigning world champion Carolina Garcia and the two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova have already registered for the bett1open before Jabeur.
This quartet alone guarantees spectacular world-class lawn tennis. The tickets are correspondingly popular.