By Abdellatif Sharaa
KUWAIT: Ons Jabeur, WTA's No 10, told journalists upon her arrival Saturday as a guest of honor for the Arab Tennis Masters tournament that the Arab tennis players of both genders can reach the highest of ranks in the game, provided they believe in themselves, train hard and are keen on participating in the main events. Jabeur, who is the only Arab players to be ranked in the top ten, said the Arab Masters will help in preparing Arab players - adding that she will participate in the women's tournament next year. She promised to meet Kuwaiti players.
Meanwhile, Tunisian Malik Jazairi and Lebanon's Hady Habib reached the Singles Final of the Arab Tennis Masters tournament. Al-Jazairi defeated Syria's Hazem Al-Nou (6-7), (6-2), (6-3), (6-2). Egypt's (Doubles Team) Sherif Makhlouf and Amr Mohamed defeated Kuwait's Abdulhameed Jumaa and Ali Al-Shatti (3-6), (6-3) and the tie bread (10-6). While the Lebanese team of Hady Habib and Hassan Ibrahim defeated Tunisia's Wisam Abdulrahman and Mohamed Aziz (6-3)-(7-5).
Meanwhile the women's committee at Kuwait Tennis Federations held a discussion session with the visiting Ons Jabeur. The session was attended by Kuwait Olympic Committee board member Fatima Hayat, and was attended by a large number of Juniors and young players.
Ons said she is happy to be in Kuwait and thanked President of Kuwait and Arab Tennis Federations for the invitation. "This is my first visit to Kuwait, and it is a good opportunity to meet the best Arab players and exchange ideas with officials," she said, adding that Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdallah complex is ready to host the best of international tournaments.