Ons Jabeur has revealed she was left "happy crying" after receiving plenty of messages, including from former men's world No 1 Andy Roddick, following her heartbreaking defeat in the Wimbledon final last month.
Jabeur, 28, lost her third Grand Slam final - and second successive at Wimbledon - in a surprise straight-sets loss to unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova as the Tunisian's agonising wait for a major title continues. Jabeur described it as the "most painful loss" of her career.
One of the most popular players on tour among peers and fans alike, Jabeur received an outpouring of support, including from Morocco men's football manager Walid Regragui, but it was a message from Roddick, who knows all to well the pain of losing the Wimbledon final.
Roddick reached the Wimbledon final three times in his career, only to come out second best to Roger Federer on each occasion. Their last meeting, in 2009, would hold particularly difficult memories for the American, who lost the fifth and final set 16-14.
“On top of being a great player and a great person, her story is incredible,” Roddick wrote in a column. “Coming from Tunisia, trailblazing for that part of the world, being so dynamic and comfortable in that role – she has a lot to be proud of.
“I actually sent her a message after the final and said, ‘Listen, if you ever want to chat, I've been where you are right now. But I have more faith in you winning Wimbledon than I ever had in myself winning Wimbledon.’ ...Take a breath, take a minute, make sure you prepare, keep your fitness going.
“She's someone I really hope wins a Grand Slam title at some point.”
After skipping last week's Canadian Open to rest and reset, Jabeur returns to action this week at the Cincinnati Masters and the Tunisian world No 5 held a press conference on Sunday, where she addressed the messages of support she received following Wimbledon.
“I got a lot of amazing messages. Andy was one of the ones I was surprised with,” she said. “And obviously I was crying, you know, happy crying. I don't know what it was, but it was very nice of him.
“I appreciate that he took the time to write a good long message. I'm definitely talking to him when I see him, probably at the US Open.”
Jabeur, seeded fifth in Cincinnati, has received a bye into the second round and will open her tournament against either China's Zhu Lin or Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine.
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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GAC GS8 Specs
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
