Go back to Here for Her

Jabeur wants 'more respect' for women after reaching Madrid quarters

tennis29 April 2024 22:48| Ā© AFP
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Ons Jabeur Ā© Getty Images

Ons Jabeur called out organisers of European tournaments for giving men preferential treatment at combined events and said "they need to respect women more."

Jabeur, the 2022 champion in Madrid, was speaking after dismissing ninth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko 6-0, 6-4 to set up a last-eight clash with Madison Keys.

"I feel like we have a long way to go, especially here in Madrid and in Rome, in Europe in general," she said.

Jabeur said women players were not given the same access to practice courts and were on television less.

"The way they treat women here and men, they're completely different," she added.

"Here in Spain, I would love to go to the hotel and open the TV and see a woman's tennis match.

"How can you inspire young girls without showing any matches?"

Top-seeded Iga Swiatek dropped the opening game before sweeping the next 12 to against home favourite Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1, 6-0 and advance to a quarterfinal meeting with Brazilian lefty Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Keys won an all-American battle, knocking out third-seeded Coco Gauff 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-4 to reach the last-eight in Madrid for the first time.

The 29-year-old missed the start of the season with a shoulder injury, which sidelined her for four months.

Gauff, who was broken seven times and hit 13 doubles faults, lamented her serving.

"Not holding serve honestly is what cost me the match," said the reigning US Open champion.

"My serve is evolving and there's a lot of minor changes being made," she said. "When it's on, it's definitely a weapon and I guess it's just making it more consistent."

Also through to the quarterfinals is Mirra Andreeva, who celebrated her 17th birthday with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 win over Italian 12th seed Jasmine Paolini, a year on from her dream run to the Madrid fourth round on her WTA debut.

The Russian teenager fell to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka at the Caja Magica 12 months ago  but will get a rematch with the Belarusian world number two, who outlasted  American Danielle Collins 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in Monday's last match.

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