Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur has credited the former world number
one America’s Venus Williams for her comeback win at the Cincinnati Open.
The 28-year-old made a great comeback and defeated
Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina in the first round of the competition with a score
of 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 on Tuesday.
While talking about it, Jabeur, who is playing in the first
major event after suffering a heartbreaking defeat at Wimbledon 2023, stated
that she used Williams' recent performance as a source of motivation to get over
the line in the fixture.
"I mean, a lot of things, a lot of frustration. I
thought about a lot of things. First, the crowd really helped me get into, not
giving up,” she said. “I heard some people telling me not to give up. And I saw
Venus did it yesterday, coming back from 5-1.
“She’s an inspiration for me and for many players so I’ve
got to thank her for the comeback today. Very happy with the win. It was very
tough, but I’m glad that I kept fighting, kept playing point by point, and I’m
glad that I got the win in the end.”
Williams defeated Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova in the round
of 64 clash with a score of 6-4, 7-5 on Monday.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.