Ons Jabeur "learned a lot" from Tatjana Maria in London as she seeks Berlin's winning path

BERLIN—Tatjana Maria completed a fairytale run in London last Sunday when, as a qualifier, she defeated four successive Top 20 players en route to lifting her biggest career trophy at the Queen’s Club.

This week, is it Ons Jabeur’s turn to rediscover her own winning feeling at a venue where she’s been the last woman standing previously?

Three years ago, Jabeur captured the Berlin Tennis Open crown before reaching her first of two consecutive Wimbledon finals. Following her semifinal win at the All England Club, the Tunisian memorably pulled Maria out to share the spotlight on Centre Court after defeating the German over three sets.

Both competitors present games that contrast the modern era's power-forward approach. For Jabeur, her friend’s latest title run serves as a sublime reminder that she, too, can slice and dice her way back into the champion’s corner.

“I was watching a little bit of her matches. I texted her after winning. I’m so happy for her, for her family,” Jabeur tells TENNIS.com.

“She’s a true example of someone that maybe has struggled lately but is always smiling, always a good spirit outside the court. She’s always fighting, which I love about Tatjana. I know she loves the grass, the slicing. It’s unbelievable.

“I learned a lot from her, especially when she wins against big hitters and the slices are really incredible. I hope I can slice as good as her.”

I’ve been always taught not to hate something that happened to you. It might be a good thing.

Back in Berlin, Jabeur finds herself with an uncommon identifier next to her name this time around. The former world No. 2 is competing as a lucky loser at an exceptional WTA 500 event that began with nine of the Top 10 in the draw. The opportunity to vye for the title was on the verge of never materializing before Jabeur staved off a pair of match points in her opening qualifying win over Elsa Jacquemot.

Having fallen to Wang Xinyu at her next hurdle, Jabeur was ultimately afforded a second chance to continue at the tourmament. Was it luck, a dose of good karma, simply the way it’s supposed to work out?

“I hope everything. The stars, the good karma, everything is happening. I even forgot about the two match points,” says Jabeur.

“I believe in destiny, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I’ve been always taught not to hate something that happened to you. It might be a good thing. I didn’t hate the fact that I lost in the last round of qualifying. To get the lucky loser spot and to continue my path, it’s been maybe written out there. Hopefully it’s a good one.”

It certainly appears good on the surface so far. Two days after easing past Caroline Dolehide, Jabeur notched a victory that is sure to garner some attention. In a battle of the past two Wimbledon finalists, Jabeur handed fourth seed Jasmine Paolini a 6-1, 6-3 defeat in the Italian’s grass season debut.

Among the win’s significance, it saw Jabeur snap a seven-match losing streak against Top 5 opponents—her first since defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the last four of 2023 Wimbledon. The 30-year-old also ended a three-match skid against Paolini that included a third-round defeat last month in Rome.

Today’s match was great. It definitely helps me to get over the past few months.

While Jabeur isn’t getting ahead of herself after Wednesday’s performance, one can’t help but wonder if Steffi Graf Stadium is the perfect place for the tour's resident “Minister of Happiness” to turn up her smile meter back to familiar levels.

“I’ve been pretty successful the last years here in Berlin. It’s a nice place, people are pretty chill here,” she shares.

“Today’s match was great. It definitely helps me to get over the past few months. Hopefully I can be better on the court, find my game better. Jasmine plays unbelievable. I had to take my revenge from the other times we played. I know she’s still adapting to grass but I’ll definitely take this win.”

Jabeur awaits the winner of a Thursday matchup between Diana Shnaider and Marketa Vondrousova. The latter upstaged her for the 2023 Wimbledon championship.