Tunisia’s Jabeur Wins Ningbo Open

Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
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Tunisia’s Jabeur Wins Ningbo Open

Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

Top-seeded Ons Jabeur won her fifth career title at the Ningbo Open with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over teenager Diana Shnaider on Saturday.
The seventh-ranked Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, saved her best performance of the tournament for the final and raced to victory in 78 minutes.
“I felt tactically I played very well, I had an advantage in that I had more experience than her to manage certain points,” The Associated Press quoted Jabeur as saying.

“Playing a final here is more relaxed than playing a Grand Slam final, but I think it will help me gain confidence more, and to help me manage the pressure and stress.”
The Tunisian had 18 winners to only 10 unforced errors, while saving all three break points she faced, denying the 19-year-old Shnaider any chance to get a foothold in the match.
This was 85th-ranked Shnaider's first career final in just her ninth WTA tournament main draw. One year ago, she was ranked No. 220 and beginning her freshman year at North Carolina State.



Venus Williams Prioritizing Fun as she Returns after 16-month Absence

FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
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Venus Williams Prioritizing Fun as she Returns after 16-month Absence

FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Former world number one Venus Williams said she was embracing the challenge and joy of tennis after a difficult year marked by health concerns and time away from the court as the 45-year-old prepares for her return at the Washington Open on Monday.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion declined wildcard entries into the tournament in the nation's capital in the past but said she felt up to the challenge this year.

"Most of the time I don't (take up the offer to play as a wildcard)," she said with a laugh on Sunday.

"But this time I had been hitting the ball. And of course I love the game and the hard courts, it's my favorite surface, what I feel comfortable on. So all those different factors."Williams is setting new personal goals, prioritizing enjoyment over results, Reuters reported.

"My personal goal is to have fun and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself," she said.

"I don't know if I define success at this moment in any sort of way other than believing in myself and sticking to my process. That's not easy to do, especially after a layoff. So those are my goals."

Williams has won the Wimbledon singles title five times and the US Open twice, as well as 14 Grand Slam women's doubles titles alongside her younger sister Serena.

She has not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024 and has not won a match since defeating Russia's Veronika Kudermetova in the first round of the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.

She faces fellow American Peyton Stearns in the first round of the WTA 500 tournament on Monday.

Reflecting on her future in the sport, she remained characteristically private.

"I think I know what I want to do, but I don't always want to talk about it," she said.

"I'm just here for now, and who knows? Maybe there's more. Like I said, I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I'm focused just on this."

Williams also opened up about her health struggles including her surgery last year to remove fibroids - painful but benign tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus.

"My health journey was very scary," she said.

"You know, this time a year ago I was preparing to go to surgery. There was no way for me to play tennis or play the US Open. I was just trying to get healthy."

Known for her powerful game, Williams is determined to stick to her strengths.

"I'm still the same player," she said. "I'm a big hitter... This is my brand. So it's about hitting big and actually putting it in. So this will be my effort - put it in the court. That's my main goal."