Ons Jabeur made sporting history on Saturday, when she played Elena Rybakina in the women’s singles final at the Wimbledon tennis championships. She did of course narrowly miss out on the chance to win but it was still a defining moment.
Victory for the Tunisian would have given Africa and the Arab world their first ever grand slam singles champion. But despite her loss, Jabeur left the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club having won millions of fans around the world – not just by how well she played in all seven of her matches, but also with her grace, generosity, wit and charm.
As the world’s No 2-ranked women’s player takes a well-deserved break, her career is already having a positive impact on the sport in the Middle East and Africa. And this is worth celebrating.
On several occasions in the past, Jabeur has been asked about how she carries the weight of millions of fellow Africans and Arabs on her back. Acutely aware that the Mena region has produced so few elite-level tennis players like her, she has embraced the responsibility that comes with being a trailblazer since she turned professional in 2011.
What seemed like a burden to her in the initial years is today a privilege, as she once told The National. Jabeur has made use of this privilege by working hard and staying committed to the sport, even during the leanest periods of her career. After assembling a strong team, which took a number of years, she belatedly broke into the top 100 rankings in 2016 before embarking on a record-breaking spree. Last year, she became the first Arab and North African woman to break into the top 10. This year, she won the Madrid Open, which is in a category of tournaments second only to the four tennis grand slams. No African player had achieved this feat before.
In Jabeur, tennis has an important ambassador. She has earned the moniker “Minister of Happiness” for her smile and the thrill she brings to her supporters after every win. Social media is abuzz with her images along with hashtags such as #OnsTounes and #DreamsComeTrue. The Tunisian’s recent performances have brought together, even if only momentarily, a nation battling economic problems and political divisions.
Her immense popularity, coupled with her contributions to pandemic relief efforts back home, have meant that she has effectively transcended the sport, in much the same way Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah had a few years ago. This is important for young Arabs seeking genuinely global role models from the region.
Jabeur appeared understandably disappointed at the post-match felicitation ceremony on Saturday. Yet, she did not lose sight of the big picture, when she said: “I’m trying to inspire many generations from my country. I hope they are listening.” Judging by the sharp rise in the number of young Tunisians taking up the sport in recent months, according to some tennis clubs in the country, they certainly are.
This could be true about the wider region, too. With Jabeur at the peak of her powers, governments and the private sector would be wise to use this moment to put the right incentives in place and attract more boys and girls to play competitive tennis.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine 2.4L four-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
Britain's travel restrictions
- A negative test 2 days before flying
- Complete passenger locator form
- Book a post-arrival PCR test
- Double-vaccinated must self-isolate
- 11 countries on red list quarantine
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Smart words at Make Smart Cool
Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed “edutainment” by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life’s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
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Correspondents
By Tim Murphy
(Grove Press)
