Jabeur grateful for Princess of Wales hug after suffering 'most painful loss of my career'

Ons Jabeur said she was grateful to receive a hug from Kate, Princess of Wales, after suffering "the most painful loss of my career" in Saturday's Wimbledon women's final.

Tunisian Jabeur came up short in her latest quest to be crowned the first African or Arab women's Grand Slam champion, falling 6-4, 6-4 to Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic.

It was the second successive defeat in a Wimbledon final for 28-year-old Jabeur and her third loss in as many Grand Slam finals after she also lost the 2022 US Open championship decider.

"Hugs are always welcome," a tearful Jabeur said during his post-match press conference when asked about her interaction with the British royal during the trophy presentation at Centre Court.

Jabeur also acknowledged the comforting words of Kim Clijsters, the International Tennis Hall of Fame member who was defeated in her first four major finals before winning the next four.

Former world No 1 Clijsters lost the 2001 and 2003 French Open finals, the US Open title match in 2003 and the Australian Open final in 2004.

But the Belgian eventually ended her career as a four-time major champion, winning her first in New York in 2005.

"I love Kim so much. She's a great inspiration for me," said Jabeur who was consoled by Clijsters behind the scenes at Centre Court.

"The fact that she takes the time to give me advice and to really hug me, always be there for me, I think it's priceless.

"She was telling me all the time she lost four. That's why I know the information, otherwise would have been tough. But, yeah, that's the positive out of it. You cannot force things. It wasn't meant to be."

Her day started awkwardly: Jabeur showed up to the main stadium to warm up before the match wearing black