After defeating Tamara Zidansek in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday night, the world’s No. 2 player, Ons Jabeur, looked forward to resting with her husband, Karim Kamoun.
During her post-match interview at Rod Laver Arena, the 28-year-old Tunisian pro garnered oohs from the crowd when she stated that she intended to put her husband to work that evening.
Jabeur remarked of Kamoun, “Yeah, ice baths, and I’m going to make my husband work tonight, so I have a lot of massage and good recovery.”
Jabeur laughed and remarked, “Massage guys, massage,” before clarifying, “For those who are unaware, my husband is also my fitness coach and does everything for me.”
The Australian Open crowd erupted with laughter as Jabeur fled the court with her arms in the air.
After the contest, Jabeur uploaded the now-viral video with two crying-laughing emoticons on Twitter.
In 2015, Jabeur and Kamoun, a former professional fencer from 2003 to 2011, wed.
Ons Jabeur and her husband Karim Kamoun share a moment prior to her 2022 WTA Finals match against Maria Sakkari of Greece on November 3, 2022 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
According to GQ Middle East, in 2017 Kamoun quit his job as a fencing instructor in Qatar to join his wife on tour full-time.
In an interview, Jabeur, who features on the cover of the January issue of “Vogue” Arabia, addressed their working relationship.
“On the court, he is my coach, but off the court, he is my husband,” she explained. “We must still ensure that we have time together as a couple.”
In 2022, Jabeur became the first and first Muslim and Arab tennis player, male or female, to reach the singles Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.
She told the magazine, “I am aware that more children in Tunisia now believe they can pursue a professional tennis career.” “There is now optimism in the younger generation.”
Thursday, Jabeur will compete against Marketa Vondrousova in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open.
»Ons Jabeur rallies the Australian Open audience with the phrase, “Make my husband work tonight.”«