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New world No. 2 Ons Jabeur says she is trying to turn pressure into something positive as before Wimbledon she jokingly asked Novak Djokovic if he could borrow her some of his touch so she could win it all at The Championships.
This Monday, Jabeur rose to a new career-high ranking and she is just one place away from the top spot. Also on Monday, Jabeur made a convincing start to her Wimbledon as she saw off Swedish qualifier Mirjam Bjorklund 6-1 6-3.
"[On court], last time I was thinking about pressure, it didn't work very well for me. I'm trying to handle it. The learning: obviously I've never been in this situation before. I was joking with [Novak] Djokovic. I told him, 'Give me some of the touch to win Wimbledon.'
I was stealing it," Jabeur said, per the WTA website. "Obviously I want to turn that great pressure into great things on the court. Like I said, I just want to be like a great leader."
Jabeur avoids back-to-back first round exits at Grand Slams
At the French Open, Jabeur was hoping to win her maiden Grand Slam title.
What was expected to be a big campaign for Jabeur, ended with a major disappointment as the Tunisian suffered a shock loss to Magda Linette. Jabeur came to Wimbledon determined not to make the same mistake twice. "I don't like to make the mistake twice.
I learned a lot from the first round in Roland Garros. Obviously everything feels different here. I feel more ready. Starting Monday, not Sunday, is much better for me. Scheduling, playing few matches, just get the perfect amount of playing on grass was great.
Plus, you know, gaining more confidence playing along Serena [in Eastbourne doubles] also helped me with the great attitude on the court. [To] start to be a leader on the court. That's what I'm trying to do. Trying to have that attitude," Jabeur added. In the Wimbledon second round, Jabeur faces Polish qualifier Katarzyna Kawa.
