Defending Champion Ons Jabeur back at the bett1open

Ons Jabeur is not just an accomplished tennis player. The charismatic Tunisian is a role model and shining light for all sports enthusiasts on the African continent - and a crowd favorite at the bett1open. Last year, the 28-year-old right-hander claimed victory at the Berlin tournament.

Now it has been confirmed: Ons Jabeur will return to the German capital to defend her title. But it won’t be easy. At the bett1open 2023, which will take place from June 17th to June 25th and is endowed with 850,000 US dollars, the best players in the world will compete on the grass of the Steffi-Graf-Stadium of the LTTC "Rot-Weiß" e. V. in Berlin's Grunewald.

The current world number four Ons Jabeur says: "I'm excited to announce that I will be coming back to compete at the bett1open in beautiful Berlin in June! The grass courts treated me very well and I hope to be able to repeat my victory from last year and to see many of you out there to create this special atmosphere again!”

In 2022, Ons Jabeur had played her way into the final of Berlin. There she met Belinda Bencic. After Jabeur had won the first set 6-3 and led 2-1 in the second, Bencic had to retire due to an injury.

Jabeur's success in Berlin gave her an enormous boost. Afterwards, she reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open. Never before had a woman from the Arab and African world made it this far in a Grand Slam tournament. Moreover, it is interesting to note that Jabeur also won her next and so far most recent title on the WTA Tour against Bencic. Three weeks ago, she defeated the Olympic champion from Switzerland 7-6 and 6-4 at the WTA tournament in Charleston.

So will there possibly be another Jabeur title hat-trick against Bencic in Berlin? We will see. Barbara Rittner, tournament director of the bett1open, is delighted that Jabeur has agreed to play: "Her game is a feast for the eyes. Of all the players, Ons has the biggest repertoire of tricks in store." Jabeur's Tunisian fans are also a feast for the eyes and ears. Last year, they had already created an outstanding atmosphere in the packed stands of the Steffi-Graf-Stadium during her matches. Prior to Jabeur, the reigning Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, the reigning world champion Carolina Garcia and two-time Wimbledon champion  Petra Kvitova have also confirmed their participation at the bett1open. This quartet already guarantees spectacular world-class lawn tennis. The tickets are correspondingly coveted.