Aryna Sabalenka on Ons Jabeur: “I’m a little sad for Ons. I really hope she’ll recover soon & be ready for the US Open. She’s such an unbelievable player. She annoys me a lot… in a good way. Really tricky opponent. Super happy I was able to win this match"
(VIDEO) "I’m a little sad for Ons": Aryna Sabalenka shares sympathy for Jabeur after an apparent foot injury prior to defeat at Cincinnati Open
WTASaturday, 19 August 2023 at 19:00
Aryna Sabalenka has shared her sympathy for Ons Jabeur after the latter seemed to sustain a foot injury during their quarter-final clash at the Cincinnati Open.
World No. 2 Sabalenka soared into the semi-finals at the Western & Southern Open in Ohio, defeating fifth seed Jabeur 7-5, 6-3. This was a reversal of their semi-final Wimbledon match last month, which the Tunisian player won 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-3, a result which also prevented Sabalenka from taking the world No. 1 ranking from Iga Swiatek.
During the match, Jabeur seemed to be struggling with a foot injury and was having trouble running for the ball, leading her to call for a medical timeout during which her foot was taped tightly.
Sabalenka says she feels 'a little sad' for Jabeur
In her on-court interview after the match, Sabalenka expressed her joy at making the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 event.
"I'm super happy to be in the semi-finals again," she said.
However, the 25-year-old also said she felt sad for her opponent.
"Right now I'm a little bit sad for Ons [Jabeur], I really hope she'll recover soon and she'll be ready for the US Open. She's such an unbelievable player. She annoys me a lot… in a good way [laughing]. Really tricky opponent. Super happy that I was able to win this match," she added.
Sabalenka looks ahead to Muchova match
Sabalenka will go on to face Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals. The pair have only played each other twice before, with the Czech player taking the win on clay at the French Open but Sabalenka emerging victorious on the hard-court.
"She's a great player, we had really great battle. The Roland Garros was a really tough match, she played unbelievable tennis and yeah, it's going to be great battle and I'm really looking forward for this semi-finals," she said.
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- LOL.MrAndreeva10-05-2024
- My money is simply on fatigue. She's not the compact 'muscle-man'-type like perhaps Sabalenka, Swiatek or Sakkari. She's a player desperately longing for some kind of Djokovic rhythm. She should skip lots to win more majors. And the rumour I thought wasn't it Long Covid?MrAndreeva10-05-2024
- If there is some other reason, like exhaustion or self-preservation by not playing in consecutive tourneys, then simply say so. There's no shame in self preservation. Since the WTA obviously does not seriously consider a player's physical and mental stress as they schedule back-to-back majors, it's okay to adhere to such a healthy agenda and admit it. The illness thing is kind of suspect at this point; if only because of the timing pattern.
mandoist10-05-2024 - So, Elena Rybakina has again withdrawn due to illness (in Rome). Fans are concerned if this is truly a gastrointestinal issue. Why the secrecy? Is it truly an illness causing these withdrawals? It may be helpful -- even encouraging -- for others whom also suffer whatever illness is ongoing here to know what she is dealing with; and how. A form of Colitis? Ulcers? What's up? Timing has been last minute. It's a bummer all around.mandoist10-05-2024
- Tennis is ridiculous to maintain the tradition of silence. If they can play in open courts like Rome with all the noise from each court they surely could survive cheering, etc., during play (i.e., a singles match with only a 2 meter fence between them and a men's doubles -- and very loud noise from each side).mandoist10-05-2024
