Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur spoke candidly about pressure, representation, and the need for stronger female role models from the Arab world and Africa during her appearance at the World Sports Summit in Dubai.
Addressing an audience of athletes, sports leaders, and policymakers, Jabeur reflected on her journey representing Tunisia, the Arab world, and Africa on the global tennis stage — a role she said initially brought pride, but later carried unexpected weight.
“When I started playing and wanted to represent Tunisia, the Arab world and Africa, it was always a proud moment,” Jabeur said. “It was a good kind of pressure. But at a certain point, it became too much. I wasn’t expecting to make such a huge impact everywhere.”
Representation Beyond Results
Jabeur, a trailblazer for women’s tennis in the region, highlighted the lack of visible role models who reflect the realities many women face — particularly around cultural expectations, marriage, and career progression.
“We’re missing role models from our region,” she said. “Women who can say: I’m a woman, I also got married very young, and I can still make it.”
Her remarks resonated strongly with the summit’s focus on inclusivity and empowerment, underlining how elite athletes can influence social perceptions far beyond sport.
Balancing Pride and Pressure
Jabeur explained that representing an entire region can be both motivating and overwhelming, especially when success is seen as symbolic rather than personal.
“It depends how you take it,” she said. “At first, it gave me strength. But later, it became something I had to learn how to manage.”
She stressed the importance of allowing athletes — particularly women — to grow without being burdened by expectations to serve as symbols, while still recognising the power of representation.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As one of the most successful Arab and African players in tennis history, Jabeur said she hopes her journey helps open doors for young girls who may not see themselves reflected in global sport.
Her message at the World Sports Summit reinforced a broader call for visibility, support systems, and cultural understanding to ensure women from all backgrounds can pursue excellence without limitation.
🔗 Source
- Remarks by Ons Jabeur, Tunisian professional tennis player
World Sports Summit, Dubai
