© Getty Images Sport – Matthew Stockman
Ons Jabeur jokingly said Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka missing Guadalajara is definitely improving her title chances. This week, world No 7 Jabeur is the only top-10 player competing at a WTA 1000 tournament in Guadalajara.
When the Guadalajara entry list was released in August, seven top-10 players signed up to play. But after the US Open, the majority of those players – Swiatek, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari – withdrew from Guadalajara.
Caroline Garcia, who was a top-10 player in August, is now ranked at No 11 in the world. With that being said, Jabeur is the only the top seed and the only top-10 player competing in Guadalajara this week. In her pre-tournament presser, Jabeur was asked if Swiatek and Sabalenka not competing is a positive factor for her Guadalajara title chances.
“I mean, it’s definitely better, a little bit (laughing). But I think the conditions here are kind of tough for everyone. This is my first time playing in Guadalajara, so I’m really trying to adapt a little bit. But, yeah, I’m definitely glad to be here.
I’m enjoying, honestly, the fans. I didn’t expect that they know me that well. So…
