Tunisian tennis star makes history by reaching Wimbledon final

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur reached the Women’s Finals of the Wimbledon tennis tournament today, making her the first woman from the African continent to reach a grand slam final.

Jabeur defeated German Tatjana Maria in three sets. She will face either number-23-ranked Elena Rybakina or 2019 Wimbledon Champion Simona Halep in the final Saturday.

Im a proud Tunisian woman standing here today, Jabeur said before a cheering crowd on center court. “I want to see more not just Tunisian, but African, Arab players on tour.

Jabeur has been one of the top tennis players in the world for some time, and her success is growing the sport in North Africa. In May, the Womens Tennis Association added a tournament in the Tunisian coastal city of Monastir. Many young Tunisians have been inspired to play tennis because of her, The National reported today.

Reaching the Wimbledon Finals is a new best for Jabeur, who has never before made the Finals of any of the four tennis grand slam tournaments.

Jabeur’s performance at Wimbledon has been heavily covered in the Tunisian and Arabic-language media. Qatars beIn Sports tweeted that she is writing history with the win.