DOHA – Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur showcased her exceptional skill and determination at the 2025 Qatar TotalEnergies Open, breezing through her first two matches and reigniting hopes for her future success after facing recent challenges.
Jabeur, the highest-ranked Arab player in history, made her mark once again at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. On February 10, she dominated American McCartney Kessler with impressive finesse, winning her opening match 6-2, 6-0. It took Jabeur only 56 minutes to dismantle Kessler, who is ranked 57th globally. Following the match, Jabeur expressed her satisfaction with her performance, stating, "I thought I played really good. The level was very high. I definitely played my game, and listened to my coach, probably for the first time," reported by wtatennis.com.
Jabeur's victory marked her tenth appearance at the Doha tournament, where she previously reached the quarter-finals twice. With her eyes set on reclaiming her former glory, she won 89 percent of her second-service points against Kessler, showing her mastery on the court.
The following day, Jabeur faced No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen and continued her winning streak, securing another convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory. Jabeur broke Zheng's serve six times, demonstrating her aggressive yet strategic gameplay. She highlighted the significance of this tournament for her personally, saying, "I want to really represent the Arab world very well and this is the most [important] swing for me. I know doing well here will help inspire the next generation." This reflects not only her competitive spirit but also her commitment to paving the way for future Arab tennis players.
Ons Jabeur's path to this point has been paved with both challenges and triumphs. Once ranked No. 2 and coming off consecutive year-end Top 10 finishes, she experienced setbacks due to injuries last year, dropping to No. 42. After battling issues with her shoulder and knee, she returned to the courts this year with renewed focus. Her words echo the sentiment of resilience: "Definitely gives me a lot of confidence and, honestly, looking forward to showing abetter level in Doha."
The atmosphere of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open seems to invigorate Jabeur. With the crowd's enthusiastic support and the memories of past events brewing within her, she recalled her earlier days of struggling for wins. "I would trade a win in any tournament to win this one because it is really special for me to give back after what they have done for me," she said. It’s this connection to the event and the support from her homeland’s fans which she values immensely.
While the tournament progresses, Jabeur's performance has placed her as one of the favorites among the fans. Her elegant playing style is complemented by her strategic mind, enabling her to execute plays and break her opponents consistently. This was evident when she broke Kessler six times and won the match without dropping a single game, achieving her first scoreless set in nearly three years.
Attention now turns to Jabeur as she faces tougher competition on her quest for the title. Should she continue her current form, she will be on the brink of great success, rekindling hopes for her much-coveted Grand Slam title. There is no doubt she remains hopeful about reclaiming her status amid the shifting dynamics of women's tennis.
With Jabeur's determination, focus, and strategic play, tennis fans are eagerly watching as she aims to make this year's Qatar TotalEnergies Open one to celebrate. This beloved player not only lifts her own aspirations but also motivates the next generation of athletes, embodying the spirit and promise of Arab tennis.