• Tunisian Ons Jabeur is the highest profile Arab female athlete in the world 
  • The world No 7 broke down in tears after her victory over Marketa Vondrousova
  • She pledged to donate her prize money to help Palestinians who are in need 

Twice Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur shed tears as she pledged to donate prize money from this week’s WTA Finals to Palestinians in need.

The 29 year-old Tunisian was overcome when interviewed following a 6-4 6-3 group stage victory in Cancun over Marketa Vondrousova, who beat her at SW19 this summer.

The year-end championships has been a troubled affair this week, with WTA supremo Steve Simon now writing to the players to apologise for the latest shambles taking place on his watch.

Jabeur was far more pre-occupied with infinitely more significant events after her victory: ‘I am very happy with the win, but I haven’t been happy lately, to be honest with you,’ said the Arab world’s highest profile female athlete on court afterwards, trying to contain her emotion. ‘ The situation in the world doesn’t make me happy.’

‘It’s very tough seeing children, babies dying every day. It’s heartbreaking. So I’ve decided to donate part of my prize money to help the Palestinians. I cannot be happy with just this win, with what is happening. I’m sorry guys, it’s supposed to be about tennis, but it’s very frustrating looking at videos every day.

Tunisian world No 7 Ons Jabeur broke down in tears after her win over Marketa Vondrousova

Tunisian world No 7 Ons Jabeur broke down in tears after her win over Marketa Vondrousova

Jabeur pledged to donate her prize money from the WTA finals to Palestinians who are in need

Jabeur pledged to donate her prize money from the WTA finals to Palestinians who are in need

‘It’s not a political message. It’s just humanity. I want peace in this world and that’s it. I try to stay off social media as much as I can, but it’s very tough. You go through videos, photos, they’re horrible, horrible photos every day. It doesn’t help me sleep or recover very well and the worst thing is I feel hopeless. I feel like I cannot do anything. I wish I can have a magic hand and just end all this.’

On more trivial matters, top players like Jabeur have been written to by WTA Chief Executive Simon, expressing his regret at conditions in Mexico at what is supposed to be the prestigious year-end championships.

Simon’s job is under threat following a turbulent year on the women’s tour which has been added to by player complaints about the court surface in Cancun, which was only unveiled as a venue 52 days beforehand, and where crowds have been disappointing.

‘It is clear that you are not happy with the decision to be here in Cancun. I understand that and you have been heard,’ he wrote in a letter to the top players. ‘ As I have reflected to you, this is not where we expected to be and the decision for this location was based upon a number of complicated factors. It is not a perfect event, we understand the conditions are a challenge and the WTA of course accepts responsibility for that.’

Jabeur is the highest profile Arab female athlete in the world and called for 'peace in this world'

Jabeur is the highest profile Arab female athlete in the world and called for ‘peace in this world’

Meanwhile, WTA chairman Steve Simon is under threat in his role following a turbulent year

Meanwhile, WTA chairman Steve Simon is under threat in his role following a turbulent year

He went on to add a number of sweeteners for the top players, including greater flexibility with their schedules next year with the ability to choose a more adaptable schedule.

A number of top twenty players have demanded that the WTA bring in greater financial support for those who are injured or become pregnant, similar to a minimum income scheme that is being adopted by their male counterparts on the ATP Tour. Generating considerably less money than the men as they do, it will not be entirely straightforward.

He also promised to address a number of other complaints, such as frustrations with having to play with different balls week to week, which increases the risk of injury.



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Post source: Daily mail

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