Ons Jabeur eager to learn from Serena Williams in doubles

Ons Jabeur is eager to learn from Serena Williams when they pair up for doubles at the Rothesay International Eastbourne but the 23-time grand-slam champion did cancel her scheduled on-site practice session on Monday.

The 40-year-old caught the tennis world cold on Tuesday when a return to Wimbledon was unexpectedly announced after she had been awarded a wild card despite not playing since she injured her right leg at SW19 last summer.

Williams is set to step up preparations for the All England Club by playing in Eastbourne, but is yet to step foot inside Devonshire Park having trained at a local club over the weekend while her planned on-site practice on Monday was called off at 30 minutes notice.

Jabeur and the American great are expected to begin their doubles campaign on Tuesday against Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova.

“I’m a good secret keeper! Yes, I’ve known before the French Open,” new world number three Jabeur revealed after arriving fresh from winning in Berlin on Sunday.

“Many players were jealous because I’m playing with her. Honestly, Serena is Serena. She is a legend and always will be.

“The fact that she returned and I get to be part of her journey, it’s really unbelievable. She did a lot for our sport and I really respect her, respect her story, respect everything she’s been through.

“I hope I can learn even like two per cent from it.  Now I’m joking with other doubles players, I was like, if you have minus 20 grand slams, don’t even ask me to play doubles with you any more.”

Jabeur’s Bett1 Open success only increased the belief she is one of the leading contenders to win at Wimbledon this year after she made the quarter-finals in 2021.

The Tunisian was set to play singles at Eastbourne but after