Ons Jabeur explains how Serena Williams requested doubles link-up - 'Never expected it'

Ons Jabeur has explained how her doubles partnership with Serena Williams came about after being picked to accompany the 40-year-old in her return to competition. The 23-time Major champion has not played since retiring injured at Wimbledon last year and is making her comeback in the doubles event in Eastbourne before playing singles at the All England Club.

Williams announced her return to competition last week in an Instagram post, confirming she would be back at SW19 as a wildcard. She was later also announced as a recipient of another wildcard for the doubles event at the Eastbourne International, partnering world No 3 Jabeur. The Tunisian has now explained how the partnership came about, admitting she "never expected" the former world No 1 to pick her.

"Before we just talked a little bit and we never really talked tennis. She was just very nice and I love kids so much and I saw Olympia, she was so cute and I said, like, she is really cute," she smiled. "But it was Eric, Venus' coach, he is with her, he was playing here and he asked if I would consider doubles."

The American is no longer working with Patrick Mouratoglou - her coach of ten years - and sister Venus' coach Eric Hechtman reposted her Instagram announcement to his story and confirmed he would be travelling to Eastbourne and London with Serena. Jabeur continued: "Not a second to think about it. It's an obvious 'Yes'."

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But the 27-year-old is yet to hit with her doubles partner and may not get a chance to until Tuesday, after Williams cancelled her practise session at Devonshire Park with 30 minutes' notice on Monday. Jabeur continued: "I cannot wait to see her, I haven't seen her