Wimbledon 2024: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur hoping it is third time lucky

Jabeur had seemed in control of the 2022 final against Rybakina, having won the first set, but was then pressured into errors by her younger opponent.

The Tunisian returned to Centre Court 12 months on, but Jabeur revealed this week that she had a panic attack, external during the warm-up for last year’s final.

She went on to lose 6-4 6-4 to Vondrousova and the 29-year-old wanted to highlight what pressure and wanting something “too much” can do.

“I feel it’s important to send that message. Just be open about it, let it out. Don’t keep it inside,” she told BBC Sport.

“For me, I just like to share my experience with other young players so they know that as a professional tennis player, there are happy moments, there are sad moments, there are difficult moments and it’s OK to have those.

“Just work with them and turn them from negative to positive feelings.”

Jabeur, who had also lost the 2022 US Open final, has had more on her mind than just clinching her first Grand Slam title.

The defeat in last year’s final also meant she had to rethink her plans to start a family.

“I always wanted to win a Grand Slam and maybe go and have a baby and come back again,” she explained.

“So losing that final probably took that away from me.

“But at the same time, I think I was attaching having a baby with the Grand Slam a little bit, which maybe was not right to do. It’s just a dream. And I came to my senses maybe the next Saturday, that it is what it is – and I’m looking forward to playing again.”