Wimbledon, Jabeur-Rybakina: the women’s final at 3 pm

There is a lot of talk about the final of today’s women’s singles at 3 pm between Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur (live Sky Sport) for the political and social implications, and little for the tennis aspect. Jabeur put her country, Tunisia, on the noble maps of this sport, and after winning the semifinal she proudly repeated it to everyone: “I am proud to be Tunisian. And I am sure that at this moment in Tunisia people will be going crazy. I want to be a source of inspiration. I want to see more and more Arab and African players on the circuit. ” Yes, because it is not just her nation, but an entire part of the world, the Arab one, until now almost hidden in tennis. And even Africa, as a continent, suddenly finds itself catapulted into a final of a slam, the first time in the Open era. Of course, there have been many South African tennis players (like Ferreira or Coetzer), with excellent Davis Cup teams, complete with victory in 1974, after defeating the Italy of Panatta, Bertolucci, Zugarelli and Barazzutti in the semifinals. However, there had never been a representative of North Africa at this level, and not even an Arab one.

Kazakh but not too much

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Certainly no less ambitions, pressures and hopes for victory will have Elena Rybakina. On the contrary. The Kazakh born in Moscow and Russian until 2018 will play this final with all eyes on her. From the stop to Russian and Belarusian athletes imposed by the British government and organizers for the war in Ukraine and after the ATP and WTA took a stand that decided not to award points at Wimbledon, the whole question had been hidden for a few days under the carpet, all taken from the start of the tournament and more. After each round brought home by Rybakina, however, someone began to wonder: “And if it was a Russian who won, even if a naturalized Kazakh” ?. A worm that reached the final. A coincidence, perhaps, or perhaps this also has to do with the greater determination of the 23-year-old, on her first big date with the story of a slam, which proved to be truly icy for both weeks. After destroying the Halep, she gave a hint of a half smile, but nothing more. Rybakina did not raise the question in the slightest and she always got along very well in the answers, even when the interviewer at the end of the match let slip a “How will this victory be for your country?”, Which made you hold your breath. suspended to more than one person in the organization, and beyond. Indeed, Elena has always shown herself proud to represent Kazakhstan: “A country that had the courage to invest and believe in me”, she repeated several times. Almost impossible to indicate a favorite.

The Jabeur for classification (seeded number 3 and from Monday No. 2 in the world) and as demonstrated so far, on paper, should have the better, but the Rybakina has been almost a machine so far but it will certainly not be exempt. from external pressures. They both know their lives will change after this match. Winning Wimbledon, net of everything, is and will always remain something unique. And if anyone is skeptical, go and look at the Center Court 100th anniversary ceremony.