'Definite first': Tennis trailblazer vomits before historic moment
Tennis trailblazer Ons Jabeur left fans gobsmacked after she produced a moment of absolute magic only seconds after vomiting due to nerves on match point.
Tunisian Ons Jabeur defeated former champion and World No.11 seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain to advance and set up a clash with Polish star Iga Swiatek.
'DOUBLE STANDARDS': Djokovic divides fans after 'disgraceful' scenes
'MAKES ME ANGRY': Royal family photo sparks Wimbledon outrage
But Jabeur had to overcome an illness, which hit her on match point, as well.
The first Arab woman to win a WTA Tour title when she lifted the trophy at Edgbaston Priory last month, Jabeur was physically ill on court ahead of match point before icing the 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 win.
"I'm actually having a problem with my stomach. I have inflammation," she said.
Just before match point, Jabeur sprinted to the advertising boards surrounding the court and proceeded to vomit.
Fans in the stadium were left stunned as Jabeur was curled over with illness.
The tough Tunisian lost the next rally, before she emerged ready to serve again and played a brilliant match point to secure her path into the next round.
Fans around the world were left stunned at the amazing live television.
Jabeur vomits, then wins.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/EMJt2TVcFY
— Charles (@CharlesConoly) July 2, 2021
So nobody talks about her being sick at the back of the court? Amazing effort from @Ons_Jabeur ...
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) July 2, 2021
So nervous she just vomited before her first match point, Ons Jabeur converts her second with a nerveless rally to beat Garbine Muguruza 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
We knew her talent, her game, her heart ❤️ Now Centre Court knows it too. pic.twitter.com/6ZOnhPj9S0— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 2, 2021
Dramatic stuff on centre court as Ons Jabeur beats Garbine Muguruza. Jabeur serving for the match point heads to the back of the court to vomit. She then takes part in a tough rally to win the match and collapses onto her back in relief. Being interviewed right now
— Kathleen McNamee (@kathleen_mcn) July 2, 2021
Ok WOW Ons Jabeur, what an icon. Gets to match point, walks off to the side of Centre Court to vomit, calmly walks back, and wins it a couple of minutes later. And on an audacious, fearless forehand after an intense rally. Like, I vomit once and I can barely stand up. #Wimbledon
— The path has strayed from you (@saltformarrow) July 2, 2021
Did Ons Jabeur just vomit on centre court? No matter. The way she’s played that may be her only weakness. Magnificent performance brilliant skills #Wimbledon #jabeur
— Paul Johnson (@pjohnson_sports) July 2, 2021
Is it common to vomit during a match? Have never see that before!! 🤮#Wimbledon #Jabeur
— 🛡️💧Princess Gemma (@Gemmasparkle) July 2, 2021
OMG THE TV REPLAYED JABEUR BARFING THERE WAS SO MUCH VOMIT COMING OUT OF HER MOUTH
— all things WTA 🌱 (@wta_fanatics) July 2, 2021
There’s a way to see out a match. Vomit before first match point, then win it on second. Brilliant from Ons Jabeur #Wimbledon
— Barry Kenny (@barrykenny) July 2, 2021
I've never seen a player vomit during a match before! A definite first!
— Elizabeth Burnham🌷 (@elizburnham1) July 2, 2021
Jabeur does have a history of vomiting on court due to nerves.
Historic 🇹🇳
🎥: @Wimbledon | @Ons_Jabeurpic.twitter.com/1tHEorT5Iu— wta (@WTA) July 2, 2021
Aryna Sabalenka in-form at Wimbledon
No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka appears poised for a career breakthrough after reaching the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time.
The world No.4 of Belarus equalled her best performance at a grand slam with a 6-0 6-3 win over Colombian qualifier Maria Camila Osorio Serrano in one hour and 15 minutes.
Her fourth round opponent is 18th seed Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan who breezed past American Shelby Rogers 6-1 6-4 in the fourth round.
Sabalenka is overdue for a deep run at a grand slam after reaching the last 16 at the Australian Open in January and back in 2018 at the US Open.
She is the only woman among the top 20 seeds who has yet to reach a major quarter-final.
But the signs are good for Sabalenka to have a breakout Wimbledon after overpowering Osorio Serrano, breaking her opponent six times and finishing with a 22-9 edge in winners.
with AAP
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
