Ons Jabeur mentioned Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka as her closest friends on tour during a recent appearance on the Nothing Major podcast with John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Jack Sock. The Tunisian former world No. 2 also responded to comparisons between her drop shot and that of Carlos Alcaraz.
In a relaxed conversation with the former American players, Jabeur discussed both on- and off-court topics while joking around with her hosts. The world No. 33 is currently in Abu Dhabi, where she reached the second round after defeating Jelena Ostapenko in her opener.
During the lengthy interview, Querrey asked Jabeur which players she has the best relationship with outside the court.
"I mean, I’m friends with Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka mostly, you know," Jabeur said. "We don’t hang out a lot—I probably hang out more with Paula Badosa—but, you know, we talk about stuff, we get each other’s opinion about the tour and everything around it. We gossip," she added with a laugh.
Later in the conversation, Querrey praised Jabeur’s drop shot, suggesting that she doesn’t get enough credit for using it, unlike Carlos Alcaraz, even though the Tunisian has been on tour much longer. "Does it annoy you a little that people always talk about his drop shot? I feel like you came up with the drop shot first—you’ve been using it longer than Carlos, and he’s getting more credit when you should be getting it," Querrey remarked.
"He has a really good drop shot because he plays tactically with it—he doesn’t always know when he’s going to use it. But I like to say he got inspired by me or something, I don’t know," Jabeur replied with a smile.
"He’s got to give you a little bit of credit, in my opinion," Isner chimed in.
"And probably half of his Grand Slams too," Jabeur joked.
The Tunisian now awaits her round-of-16 match this Wednesday against Japan’s Sonobe Wakana, a qualifier and the reigning Australian Open junior champion.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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