Ons Jabeur explains what helped her take her game to another level

World No. 10 Ons Jabeur says she has figured out how not to let the stress of frustration get the better off her on the court and that’s one of the reasons why she has taken her game to another level.

After a career-best season in 2021, Jabeur is slowly finding her rhythm and game this clay season.

In Charleston, Jabeur reached her first final of the season before ending runner-up to Belinda Bencic.

Jabeur then made the Stuttgart quarterfinal, before reaching the Madrid final this week.

“Preparing for the match in a certain way kind of helps me reach the level that I want to reach,” Jabeur told Eurosport.

“I mean, stress-wise or physically-wise or the fact that I can really think on the court and not let the frustration take part or the stress.”

Jabeur: I analyze my defeats

Losing matches is never ideal but Jabeur has figured a way how to benefit from her defeats.

Now when Jabeur ends on the losing side, she watches the match and tries to analyze what she did wrong and what she needs to improve.

“Playing a lot of matches as well could help me be more confident. Losing a few matches where I thought I was able to win but then focus more on what I did wrong – that I think I improved a lot in that level, because when I lose a match, it’s not just, ‘Okay, I lost, and then move on’. No, I just really need to know what happened in that game.

“I think maturity-wise, I think I evolved in that part, and that’s what makes me the player I am today. I’m still really looking forward to seeing what I can bring.”

Following a great Madrid campaign, Jabeur is set to climb up to No. 8 when the WTA rankings list updates on Monday.