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Ons Jabeur backs friend Iga Swiatek amid hate comment fallout in Cincinnati

Jabeur lent her support to the world No. 1 during a jocular post-match press conference while advocating for an end to needless social media vitriol.

ByDavid Kane

Published Aug 18, 2023

WATCH: Jabeur spoke out about online harassment in her post-match press conference on Thursday.

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CINCINNATI, Ohio—Ons Jabeur was quick to defend colleague Iga Swiatek—albeit in her inimitable fashion—after the world No. 1 implored for an end to social media vitriol in her Western & Southern Open press conference.

Told Swiatek expressed dismay at the level of criticism she and her team received for even losing a set—much less a match—Jabeur quipped, “How could she lose a set? Unbelievable!”

“I mean, I'm glad that Iga is talking about it,” the Tunisian continued, having also advanced into the quarterfinals on Thursday. “Honestly, I mean, you win, you lose, you get hate messages no matter what you do.”

Where Swiatek appeared mainly concerned with overzealous fans, Jabeur had another theory regarding the source of the online harassment athletes often experience.

“I mean, I know why she did bring it up. It's not like it's affecting her, maybe a little bit, but I understand we need more humanity, more nicer people in this earth, but I don't think you can change the mentality of some bettors. They have nothing to do in their life, and they are just spending money on you, and probably, what, they lost a couple of bucks on Iga losing a set. It is frustrating, but it's the reality. I believe these people should not exist.”

Finishing with another joke: “But yeah, next time, Iga, don't lose a set!”

Jabeur and Swiatek have maintained a friendship despite competing for the game’s biggest titles, most notably in the finals of the 2022 US Open. Jabeur got some measure of revenge on Swiatek at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth when she donned a Scream costume and famously gave the Pole a fright.

The former world No. 2, who began the week still smarting over her Wimbledon finals defeat to Marketa Vondrousova, also teased Swiatek over her successful endeavor to allow WTA players to use extra-duty tennis balls during the bulk of the North American hard-court swing.

“My shoulder is so sore,” she laughed. “I don't know why Iga and the others wanted to change, to be honest with you. I hope Iga is happy!

“Again, I grew up not complaining, playing with anything. I'll play with anything, even rocks. I don't care!”

Jabeur aims to bring those good vibes into her last-eight encounter with another friend, Aryna Sabalenka, in a rematch of their Wimbledon semifinal on Friday.