‘The goal is to go as far as I can’ – Ons Jabeur eyes French Open success

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur has revealed her aspirations for the upcoming Paris Slam as she stated she wishes “to go as far as she can” at this years tournament. 

The 27-year-old made history in Madrid on Saturday, becoming the first African player to win a WTA 1000 event.

It was a career high week for Jabeur as her second career WTA title win meant she moved from number 10 in the world to a career-high seventh in the latest rankings.

Ons Jabeur has continued her great form in the Italian capital too, as she has moved into the quarter-finals of the Rome Open on Thursday in a comfortable straight set victory.

Having twice reached the last 16 at Roland Garros she is now aiming to at least repeat that success at a tournament she says has a “great story with the Tunisian people”, when the main draw begins on 22 May.

Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport, Jabeur told reporters,”I always wanted to be in the second week [at Grand Slam tennis tournaments] no matter what happens.

“Of course now I have played a lot of great matches on clay. I have more confidence in myself. So yeah, the goal is to go as far as I can in the French Open.

“It is the first Grand Slam that I won in the juniors – well, the first and only I have got to say.

“The French Open has a great story with Tunisian people because it’s really the Grand Slam that everybody follows.

“People were trying to kind of imitate Serena Williams in the generation before me. Now it’s amazing to see how people are really just waiting to see me there.

“I know there are a lot of French-Tunisians who live in Paris, so it’s going to be a great tournament for me.”

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