Algerian tennis player Ines Ibbou illustrated the situation of lower-ranked professionals on the tour, through a letter. The letter was addressed to three-time Grand Slam finalist Dominic Thiem who recently opposed donating money to the Player’s Relief Fund amid coronavirus crisis. After coming across her poignant tale of tennis, and sacrifices Ibbou makes to play WTA matches, Venus Williams gave her a shout out.
The Algerian tennis player who has told about the sacrifices of all the lower ranked player. They all are bearing there expenses and they don’t have coach, physio etc.
You can watch her message on Instagram here
Following Ibbou’s moving letter on Instagram, Venus commented: “You are my hero.” Ines Ibbou received a widespread praises across the globe. Ibbou given the reply to venus on her Instagram account that “You always been mine too, and now you’re even more to me. Thank you so much, Venus Williams. A #Legend”
Australian player Nick Kyrgios, earlier criticised Thiem for his comments, said “Respect!” before adding, “Keep doing you, I’m always willing to support.”
Venus Williams is undoubtedly an American triumphant tennis player. But most of the tennis world is unaware of her philanthropic side. In 2015, a lower-ranked tennis player Alexandra Dulgheru made her return to the circuit after an injury hiatus. At that time she was sponsorless she didn’t have outfit to wear on the tennis tournament. But Dulgheru knew about the venus William, she contacted her for help. And Venus gave her a ray of hope to continue to hit the ball harder on the professional track.
“She sent me a bag from Rome and then she kept doing it for the rest of the year. Her clothes are very pretty and I always showed her pictures of my matches. I like her and I respect her a lot as a player,” Dulgheru said
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic situation, Ines Abbou and many players are on the same track of unemployment. They are feeling helpless. Ibbou hails from a country where they don’t have a single indoor tennis court even then her determination and will power to ace against the odds on the professional circuit remain firm.
