“I’m not gonna lie about it,” Ons Jabeur speaks opens up about equality for women in European sports tournaments

Jabeur advocates for equality in broadcasting and scheduling of tennis matches.

“I’m not gonna lie about it,” Ons Jabeur speaks opens up about equality for women in European sports tournaments

Ons Jabeur (Via Imago)

Ons Jabeur, the two-time Wimbledon finalist hailing from Tunisia, is best known for being the first and only Arab woman to reach the final of a Grand Slam. Since achieving this feat, she has made two more Slam finals, falling just short of the finish line. 

Jabeur has proven to be an inspiration and a voice for all the women who are fighting to make careers in sport and continues to do so. In a press conference at the French Open, the World No. 9 opened up about her grievances with the broadcasters and organizers of tournaments, saying they air more men’s matches than women’s and also schedule more men’s matches during the prime times and night sessions. 

I'm watching TV everyday. A lot of men's matches, more than women's, and it's the truth. I mean, I'm not gonna lie about it.
Ons Jabeur said

She acknowledged Amelie Mauresmo, the tournament director at Roland Garros, for trying to get women’s tennis more attention but thinks there is more to be done.

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Listen, I know they’re trying here. I wish they’d try more. It’s not something we’ll change in a day.–I think Amelie is doing an amazing job and is trying to change that, but these things, they take time. I wish I can see the change more.–Again, I will keep pushing for that, and I wish really to see promoting more women’s sports and women’s tennis in general.

Ons Jabeur added

Jabeur confirms that she will keep pushing for equality, and equal viewership and interest until they have been achieved.

Ons Jabeur survives second-round scare at the French Open

The Tunisian star looked to be in prime form as she took down America’s Sachia Vickery in the first round of Roland Garros. However, her second-round opponent, Camila Osorio, had some questions to ask. 

Ons Jabeur against Camila Osorio in the women’s singles at the Roland Garros French Open tennis tournament on day four in Paris, France, on May 28, 2024 (Via Imago)

Ranked 64 in the world, Osorio was the clear underdog in the match, but the threat she posed to the World No.9 is undeniable. Jabeur started strong with a 6-3 win in the first set, but the second set went the way of her opponent in the blink of an eye, 6-1. 

In a match that contained 6 breaks of serve for each player, Jabeur was able to hold her ground and close it out 6-3 in the final set after a rollercoaster set of games that could’ve gone the way of either player. Jabeur now awaits her next-round opponent, whom she will face on Friday.

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