Most painful defeat ever, says heart-broken Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur

NEW DELHI: A dejected Ons Jabeur described the Saturday's Wimbledon women's singles final defeat by the unseeded Marketa Vondrousova as the most painful of her career. Vondrousova crushed Jabeur 6-4, 6-4 in the title clash.

Crowd favourite Jabeur, 28, carried the hopes of Tunisia, Africa and the Arab world into the showpiece match, but her game fell apart horribly on Centre Court.

"It will be tough to speak because this is very tough," the sixth seed, her eyes wet with tears, said on court after losing in the Wimbledon final for the second year in a row.

"I am going to look ugly in the photos so that's not going to help. I think this is the most painful loss of my career."

Jabeur was also the favourite last year but lost the final to big-hitting Elena Rybakina. When she avenged that loss in this week's quarter-finals and then knocked out second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, it appeared the stars were aligning for her.

1/10:Vondrousova becomes first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon in Open era

AFP

2/10:First unseeded champion in Open era

<p>Marketa Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon in the Open era as the Czech swept to a shock 6-4, 6-4 victory over Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in Saturday's final.<br /></p>AP

3/10:Starts as underdog

<p>As the first unseeded woman in the Wimbledon final in 60 years, Vondrousova was a heavy underdog against sixth-ranked Jabeur.<br /></p>Getty Images

4/10:Maiden Slam

<p>But the 24-year-old upset the odds on Centre Court to win her maiden Grand Slam title at the second attempt after losing to Ash Barty in the 2019 French Open final.<br /></p>Reuters

5/10:Elite company

<p>Vondrousova joins Jana Novotna and Petra Kvitova as the only Czech women to win a Wimbledon title.<br /></p>Getty Images

6/10:Select group

<p>Vondrousova is just the ninth unseeded champion at a Grand Slam tournament.<br /></p>Reuters

7/10:A remarkable comeback

<p>Vondrousova's triumph completed a remarkable comeback after a rash of injuries stalled her promising career.<br /></p>Getty Images

8/10:From tourist to champion

<p>Just 12 months ago, she was an injured bystander at Wimbledon, reduced to watching her best friend Miriam Kolodziejova attempt to qualify for the main draw.<br /></p>Reuters

9/10:Anniversary gift

<p>Vondrousova's second wrist surgery had ruled the Olympic silver medallist out for six months, although her absence from the tour at least allowed her the space and time to get married.<br /></p>AP

10/10:A storied journey to title

<p>Vondrousova was the second-lowest ranked player to reach the Wimbledon final -- only Serena Williams in 2018 was lower at 181.<br /></p>AP

Vondrousova becomes first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon in Open era

All the pre-match talk was of Jabeur being set to become the first African woman and first Arabic player to win a Grand Slam title, having also been runner-up at the 2022 U.S. Open.

But despite winning the first two games, she produced a nervous, mistake-strewn display that was painful to watch at times as her dream faded.

"I want to say congratulations to Marketa and her team for this amazing tournament. You're an amazing player," said Jabeur, who looked devastated at the end of the match.

"It's going to be a tough day for me today. I'm not going to give up. I'm going to come back stronger and win a Grand Slam one day. It was an amazing tournament for me.

"I wished I continued to the end. I want to thank my team for always believing in me. We are going to make it one day, I promise you."

Jabeur, whose inventive playing style and bubbly personality have endeared her to fans around the world, was given a rousing ovation as she walked off to leave the stage for Vondrousova.

"I appreciate your support. It's been a tough journey but that's tennis. I promise I will come back one day and win this tournament," she told the crowd.

(With inputs from Reuters)