Coach Issam Jellali has been associated with Ons Jabeur since 2020 – here’s everything you need to know about him
Issam Jellali is a former tennis player from Tunisia, who competed in the Davis Cup on three occasions: in 1998, 2002, and 2003. During his Davis Cup appearances, he had a mixed record of four wins (all in doubles matches) and six defeats. From 1997 to 2009, Jellali participated in around 50 professional tournaments.
Some notable highlights include his involvement in the qualifiers for the Dubai Tennis Championships in 2001 and the Tunis Challenger in 2002. In doubles, he achieved success by winning a Futures tournament in Bressuire alongside Malek Jaziri in 2004. Presently, Jellali serves as the owner and director of a tennis academy in Dubai. He is also the coach for Malek Jaziri and Damir Džumhur. In February 2020, he became the coach of Ons Jabeur.
Jellali has played a crucial role in Jabeur’s development and has been her coach during her rise in the tennis world. Under Jellali’s coaching, Ons Jabeur has achieved significant milestones and made history for Tunisian tennis. Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament in the Open Era when she accomplished the feat at the 2020 Australian Open. She has consistently been one of the top-ranked Arab female tennis players.
Jellali has encouraged Jabeur to stick to her strengths besides working on her weaknesses. Jabeur’s playing style is characterized by her versatility, shot-making ability, and her use of creative angles and spins. Her achievements on the WTA Tour have garnered attention and recognition for both her and Jellali, who has been credited for his coaching and guidance in Jabeur’s career.
Since 2020, Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis player, has achieved several notable career milestones. She made history by becoming the first Arab woman to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament in the Australian Open 2020. Jabeur continued her success by reaching the fourth round of the US Open later that year, marking her best result at the tournament. In 2021, she claimed her first WTA singles title at the Viking Classic in Birmingham, UK, defeating Daria Kasatkina in the final.
Jabeur also reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in the same year, further solidifying her status as one of the top players in women’s tennis. Her performances have propelled her into the top 20 of the WTA singles rankings, making her the highest-ranked Arab female player in history. Jabeur’s achievements since 2020 showcase her talent, determination, and the impact she has had on the representation of Arab women in professional tennis.
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