On the clay courts of Madrid, Ons Jabeur is hoping to rediscover her tennis form. Another disappointing performance would be a major blow for the Tunisian. She has therefore called on former Spanish player Fernando Verdasco to help her avoid another disappointment.
One tournament follows another and so does Ons Jabeur. This season, she has already lost six and won just two. She's a long way from her top 10 status.Currently ranked 9th in the world, the 28-year-old could be ejected from the top 10 if she fails to perform in Madrid, a tournament she won in 2022. Africa's top player is affected both physically and psychologically by her knee problem. “I didn't expect an injury to affect my mental state to such an extent. The knee was affecting me and I didn't realize it. I kept going and tried to play matches even though I knew I wasn't ready, and that didn't help, losing to practically anyone on the circuit,” she had confided.
But Ons Jabeur wants to get back on track. And to do so, she has called on the Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. Their collaboration will depend on her performance in Madrid. Although not officially retired, the former world no. 7 will begin his coaching adventure at the Mutua Madrid Open with Jabeur. Always true to her roots, the world n°9 will also be coached by her compatriot Issam Jellali, her long-time coach, in whom she has unwavering confidence.
OJ will open the Madrid Master 1000 against Slovakia's Anna Karolína Schmiedlová, ranked 68th in the world. This season, however, Africa's top player has accustomed her fans to losing to any player. At Indian Wells, when she was ranked 6th in the world, she was eliminated by the 121st-ranked American Katie Volynets.Jabeur's level of play doesn't allow her to compete with the best players on the circuit.
In Stuttgart, however, the two-time Wimbledon finalist beat top-20 Russian Ekaterina Aleksandrova in three sets (2-6, 6-3, 7-6). In the process, Jabeur ended a five-match losing streak. But she was unable to string together two wins in one tournament. Jabeur was beaten in the next round by Jasmin Paolini despite a good showing.
In Madrid, Ons Jabeur needs to bounce back and get back on track for the Masters. The Tunisian is not even in the Race's top 20.
