Two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur has reiterated her concerns that the current Tour structure could put players in danger after moving into the third round at Wimbledon. 

The world No.10 moved into the last 32 after defeating Robin Montgomery 6-1, 7-5, on Thursday at The All England Club. Jabeur has now claimed 19 wins at Wimbledon since her debut in 2017, which is more than any other female player during this period. She is yet to drop a set in this year’s draw. 

This week marks Jabeur’s 13th tournament of the season which is less than some of her peers. She missed some events during the Middle East swing due to a long-term knee issue that she continues to manage. An issue she links to the current demands placed on players. 

“The scheduling and the amount of tournaments that they (the WTA) are adding right now doesn’t really help. Not just me, but any other player,” she said.
“I think we’ll see the results in a couple of years when you see like a lot of players are injured. It’s just Wimbledon right now. 
“I’m really curious how players will play the Olympics and the hard court season. Honestly, it’s going to be very tough.”

Both Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka have withdrawn from Wimbledon this year due to shoulder injuries. Something that is likely linked to the number of matches they play. 

The most simple thing for players to do to protect their health is to streamline their schedule. However, that it isn’t always that easy with mandatory tournaments and rankings points up for grabs. A reason why Jabeur says she no longer looks at the standings. 

“I stopped looking a lot at the rankings because I enter everywhere.” She said.
“When I was outside of the top hundred or close to the top hundred, I was stressing a lot about the ranking. It did not do me any good. I was counting every point. If I win this, if I win that…
“At the end of the day, it is in my control to go and play the match full, do whatever you want, not look who is behind you, what they going to do. It was very stressful. I will not do that again.”

The Tunisian admits she does feel restricted by the WTA rules concerning mandatory tournaments. Although she concedes that playing those events is crucial in her bid to qualify for the WTA Finals, which will be held in Saudi Arabia for the first time this year. 

“I’m going with the flow and seeing (what happens), especially with my knee. For the first time, I’m trying to be cautious about the scheduling. Hopefully, I can make better decisions in the future.” She concludes. 

Underdog Sonay Kartal has recorded one of the biggest victories of her career after defeating a player ranked more than 200 places higher than her to reach the third round. 

Kartal, who had to come through three rounds of qualifying to make the main draw, produced a shock 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, win over top 50 player Clara Burel. The 22-year-old is making only her third appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam event and had never won a match until this week. Against Burel, she weathered the storm before going on to win five out of the last six games played. 

“Today is a really special day for me. To have people out there who have been with me since I was six. Monday was a high and now I have topped that today,” the Brit said afterwards.

“I just tried to put everything behind me. When I needed the crowd the most they helped me in that third set. I owe that to you guys today.”

It is only the second time in the Open era that a British woman has reached the third round of Wimbledon as a qualifier. The first to do so was Karen Cross in 1997. 

Kartel has shown glimpses of her talent already this season but on the lower-level ITF Tour where she has won a trio of W35 titles. However, she has also been affected by injury during her career, as well as a health scare earlier this season.

“I had a tough start to the year, I didn’t know what I would be doing this year,” Kartel reflected.  
“To come back in and go straight into the deep end, and have my biggest wins so far since recovering, I’m super proud of that.”

Her reward will be a showdown against second seed Coco Gauff in the next round, who won her latest match in straight sets. She has defeated only two top 50 players but both of those were in this tournament. However, facing the reigning US Open champion will be another level. 

“It’s going to be a tough match, it’s going to be a fun match and I hope I can do the British crowd proud.” She admits. 

Meanwhile, Gauff is not underestimating her upcoming opponent when they lock horns on Friday. 

“It will be tough to face a Brit, especially on grass. I think that they always do well, but especially in this environment.” She said. 

Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki has come out in favour of awarding ranking points at the Olympic games due to its status and other tournaments doing so in the same week. 

In recent years points have not been given at the four-year sporting extravaganza, whose tennis event is overseen by the International Tennis Federation. A separate governing body to the ATP and WTA. The last time points were awarded was at the 2012 Games in London when gold medal winners earned 750 points in the men’s draw and 685 in the women’s. 

Wozniacki, who is set to play in her fourth Olympic Games later this year, has called for the system to be brought back. She argues it is logical to do so due to the number of top names participating. 

“I do think the Olympics should have ranking points because it’s usually the best players in the world playing,” said Wozniacki.
“It’s such a huge event and something that means a lot too. It’s special to me personally as well.
“I think ranking points should be awarded to the Olympics. There are tournaments that are going parallel with the Olympics that have ranking points, so there’s no reason why the Olympics shouldn’t have it when they have the top players in the world playing.”

Coinciding with the Paris games this year will be the Citi Open in Washington, which is classed as a 500 event for both men and women. Besides points, prize money will also be on offer. 

Before the Olympics, Wozniacki’s current focus is on Wimbledon where she got off to a dream start on Tuesday. Playing her first Tour-level match at the Grand Slam since 2019, the Dane stormed to a comprehensive 6-2, 6-0, win over Alycia Parks. 

“I’m just happy to be through to the next round,” she commented. 
“When you play a girl like that, you just never know what to expect. That was just a match that I needed to get through. Keep my head down, keep my focus all the way through and that was that.”

Wozniacki will next face 30th seed Leylah Fernandez.