It is a winning return for Ons Jabeur. For the first match since the Australian Open, on Sunday March 12, the Tunisian won the first round of Indian Wells. The world No. 4 has disposed of the Polish Magda in three sets. Despite this success, Jabeur admits that she is not at her best.
Ons Jabeur had not played any matches since her defeat in the second round of the Australian Open. Hampered by her knee, the world No. 4 had withdrawn for a "minor surgery". On Sunday night, Jabeur made her return. For her first match in three months, the best African player won the first round of Indian Wells. Struggling in the first set (4-6), the Tunisian has reversed the Polish Magdalena Frech (106th) in the last two sets (6-4, 6-1). Despite this success, Jabeur is not at her best. The 28-year-old confides that she even anticipated her return.
"It's a tough decision to make, and I was the one who insisted that I come back to Indian Wells and Miami. It was probably too early to come back, but I made it a new challenge for me. I regretted it after the first set (smile). But then I told myself to accept what was going on, fight through it and see how it goes. I'm sure it will get better and better with each match. The knee is getting better", confided the best African player in a press conference.
Ons Jabeur continues: "Physically, I obviously need more time. But when the time comes, I will tell you what really happened. I'm sorry, I can't talk about it now. But it's more than that. So it has been very difficult for me health-wise. I'll see what happens. My knee is, I can say, at 80 percent, it's getting close. At least the pain is gone. I'm getting stronger and getting my movement back, but it's not 100 percent yet, that's for sure.
In the third round of Indian Wells, Ons Jabeur will meet Marketa Vondrousova. The Czech had beaten him at the Australian Open. It's time for revenge for the Tunisian. Appointment this Monday, March 13.
