‘Ons Jabeur heading in the direction of number one,’ says Billie Jean King

“I just knew I should call her,” King said. “I do call players, not just her, or we meet through people, and I just thought it was important.

The American feels there is far more to come from the Tunisian star, who landed at number eight in the world rankings after an impressive run at Indian Wells.

“She can improve a lot, so I don’t think number eight is going to be her top ranking at all, I think she’s got the ability to go much higher,” King said.

“And I think as a child, or when she was younger and maybe still to this day, a few of the things I’ve read is her saying she’s always wanted to be number one. So she’s going in the right direction that’s for sure.”