Revenge and date with destiny on Jabeur's mind ahead of Rybakina rematch

Ons Jabeur had a picture of the Wimbledon trophy as her phone's wallpaper last year and although she lost out on the Rosewater Dish to Elena Rybakina, she is still allowing herself to dream ahead of a rematch in Wednesday's (Jul 12) quarter-final.

Jabeur was one set away from becoming the first African woman and Arab player to win a Grand Slam singles title before Rybakina mounted a fierce comeback.

The Tunisian, nicknamed the 'Minister of Happiness', admitted to feeling 'empty' and 'emotionally exhausted' as she processed the painful loss in the following weeks.

But she has since pulled up her socks, tightened her headband and plugged away in her quest to realise a lifelong dream.

"When I picked up the racquet, it's like I was born to play tennis and I was born to just achieve this dream. I was telling my mum - I want to win a Grand Slam, I want to be number one," she told reporters.

"I'm someone that believes that it wasn't meant to be (last year), so I cannot force it more than it should be.

"I'm glad that I have this belief, I believe in destiny. It wasn't supposed to be that year. Maybe greater things are coming after that final."

Jabeur's convincing 6-0 6-3 last-16 victory over twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was her 26th win on the surface since 2021 - more than any other player on the Tour.

But as soon as she was done, she immediately set her sights on Rybakina.

"I'm probably going for my revenge. It was a difficult final last year," she said.

In truth, Jabeur already had one eye on the rematch when the draw was made and she was projected to meet Rybakina in the quarter-finals, but her Kazakh opponent will pose a stern test.

Since her maiden Grand Slam triumph, Rybakina has cemented her place in the sport's new 'Big