I married ex-Wimbledon finalist after professional fencing career, then I became her fitness coach

10 months ago 77

ONS JABEUR is the trailblazing Tunisian dreaming of winning a maiden grand slam.

The 29-year-old made history at the 2020 Australian Open by becoming the first Arab woman to ever reach a grand slam quarter-final.

Ons Jabeur is No.6 in the WTA rankings[/caption]

The Tunisian is joined on tour by husband Karim Kamoun, left, and coach Issam Jellali, right[/caption]

Kamoun works as Jabeur’s fitness coach[/caption]

Jabeur and Kamoun have been married since 2015[/caption]

She has since improved on that amazing achievement, reaching two Wimbledon finals and repeating the feat at the US Open.

A first major title has eluded her, with final defeats to Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova at SW19 and a loss to Iga Swiatek at Flushing Meadows.

Blessed with incredible talent, a game oozing with variety, an enviable work ethic and dedicated team around her, Jabeur is likely to be a force again this year, particularly on the lush lawns of Wimbledon.

Always in Jabeur’s corner is husband Karim Kamoun.

A former professional fencer, the Russian-Tunisian wed the tennis star in 2015.

Two years later Jabeur decided to bring her husband onto her team full-time, with Kamoun leaving his job as a fencing coach in Qatar to become her fitness trainer.

Explaining their dynamic, Jabeur told GQ: “At the beginning it was tough, and he knows that.

“Because we’re not used to working with each other, and for him to ask me to go to run, it was kind of like an order and I didn’t like it at the beginning.

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“And if he was throwing the medicine ball wrong or something, I would make a scandal for something very small.

“Then after that we got used to it. I think we’re doing a great job. We talked a lot for sure, we fought a lot but after that, I think we got good results.”

Kamoun also has a Masters Degree in Sports Science, further strengthening his credentials.

With her husband by her side, Jabeur began to appreciate the various perks of competing around the world on the WTA Tour, checking out touristy spots when before she may have opted to stay in her hotel.

With Jabeur and Kamoun also joined by close friend Issam Jellali, the world No6 has constructed her ideal team.

Having been as high as No.2 in the world, Jabeur has made no secret of her desire to win Wimbledon one day.

Jabeur has one of the happiest teams on tour[/caption]

Kamoun and Jellali always give great support from the stands[/caption]

Kamoun is Jabeur’s primary fitness trainer[/caption]

In 2022 she made the Venus Rosewater Dish her phone lockscreen, only to suffer final heartache to Rybakina.

Following her defeat to Vondrousova in last year’s final, she was comforted by Kate Middleton after tearing up on court.

In her post-match press conference, she admitted: “It will be tough to speak because this is very tough.

“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.”

At last season’s Aussie Open, Jabeur had the crowd in hysterics after her round one win over Tamara Zidansek.

Asked in her on-court interview what she planned to do following the match, Jabeur said: “Ice bath, and I’m going to make my husband work hard tonight, lot of massage…”

When many seated on the Rod Laver Arena burst out laughing, Jabeur clarified: “Massage, guys! Massage!

“For those who don’t know, my husband is also my fitness coach and does everything for me.”

Jabeur has endured a difficult start to this year, losing in round two of the Australian Open 6-0, 6-2 to 16-year-old prodigy Mirra Andreeva.

But she is sure to come roaring back later in the season.

As someone that has carried the weight of being the only Arab star at the top the sport, Jabeur is used to handling pressure.

And with Kamoun and Jellali by her side, she is bound to bounce back and be a force once again this year.