Tennis stars Ons Jabeur and Mayar Sherif on their journeys to the top

In the first episode of our Abtal podcast, host Reem Abulleil is joined by two Arab tennis stars, Tunisian Ons Jabeur and Egyptian Mayar Sherif, for their first interview together.

Jabeur is the highest-ranked African woman and Arab player in tennis history and Sherif is the second-highest-ranked Arab woman in history and the highest-ranked Egyptian tennis player ever.

The conversation features their journeys from their early days trying to make it in the sport, and how each has taken a completely different path to the top echelons of women’s tennis, reflecting on the key decisions they made along the way.

Jabeur and Sherif also share the turning points in their careers – the highs, the lows, the desperation that comes with trying to break through and the pressure that comes with finally doing well.

Jabeur opens up about her heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 Wimbledon final, while Sherif reveals what pushed her to pursue a career in professional tennis halfway through college.

They share stories from their appearances at the Olympics and even quiz each other on things they’ve always wanted to learn about one another.

You can listen to the full conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcasting platforms, or watch the full interview on The National News YouTube channel.

UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP

Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan

Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri

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Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.

Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019