Maria Sharapova is rooting for Ons Jabeur as the WTA player she wants to win her maiden major because in her eyes Tunisian star deserves that so much.
The former WTA #1 also hailed US Open winner Coco Gauff for her complete game and backed her to handle the ups and downs of the game brilliantly at such a young age. Jabeur is widely rated as one of the best in the current WTA lot that are still major-less. The 29-year has reached thrice in the Grand Slam finals but to her bad luck lost all three.
The world No. 7 was beaten by Elena Rybakina in three sets in her maiden Slam final appearance in 2022. She then lost another final in straight sets against Poland’s Iga Swiatek at the Flushing Meadows in 2022 before completing the heartbreaking hat-trick at this year’s Wimbledon where she was beaten by Czech Marketa Vondrousova at the All England Club.
Jabeur got better of Diana Shnaider in the final of the WTA 250 event in Ningbo to claim her maiden tour level hardcourt title.
Talking former WTA #9 Andrea Petkovic for the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Sharapova revealed she is backing the North-African to clinch her maiden Slam title.
“I’m rooting for Ons to win her first Grand Slam. She deserves that so much,” declared the 36-year old.
The 5-time Grand Slam champion lauded Coco Gauff, who recently sealed her maiden major by prevailing against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final.
“I have been saying for years that I think she has the ability to transcend the sport into so many [areas], bridging entertainment, sport and culture, and fashion,” said Sharapova.
“She has such a great voice and is an amazing competitor, which is just like the full package. And it came together for her in New York City. I think her journey has been interesting. From the age of 16 she has been the prospect and the target and everyone believed that she would get there.
“It’s perhaps taken a little bit longer but I think for her that may be helpful because it took a few years to figure it out, as opposed to coming out on top at the very beginning and then being so surprised by everything that comes her way. She has a great team and the genuine support from her parents is very evident.
“It’s a beautiful story. Does that mean she is going to go out and win every Grand Slam? This is sport, that never happens, you end up losing a few more than you win. But those wins are very special and I am sure she will handle the ups and downs brilliantly.”
Sharapova who called time on his decorated WTA career in 2020, also shared her experience of motherhood, having welcomed her first child Theodore in July last year.
“I became a mother about a year ago, which I think was one of the greatest accomplishments that I’ve ever experienced,” said 36 times tour titlist.
“I have an entirely new respect for motherhood and parenthood and just that this is the moment of how you like you know your body is experiencing completely different, your mind somewhere else.”