- ‘It is not a political message, it is humanity,’ says Tunisian athlete
Emotional Tunisian athlete Ons Jabeur has announced she will donate a part of her GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun prize money to aid the suffering Palestinian population.
This victory, a resounding 6-4, 6-3 straight-set win over Marketa Vondrousova, marked a powerful comeback in the semi-final race, following a setback against Coco Gauff earlier in the week, Reuters reported.
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Jabeur, a three-time grand slam finalist, fought back tears during the post-match interview, her heart weighed down by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“I am very happy with the win but I haven’t been very happy lately. The situation in the world doesn’t make me happy.”
Pausing to gather herself, she added, “It’s very tough seeing children & babies dying every day. It’s heartbreaking. I have decided to donate part of my prize money to help the Palestinians. I can’t be happy with this win.”
“It is not a political message, it is humanity,” she added. “I want peace in this world. That’s it.”
The 29 year-old will face group leader Iga Swiatek in the last group stage match as she tries to reach the top four of the WTA Finals for the first time in her career, after a group stage elimination in 2022.
At least 9,061 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.