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Women’s Tennis Association adds tournament in Tunisia following Ons Jabeur’s success

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur is quickly becoming one of the top competitors in the sport.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia plays a forehand.
Ons Jabeur of Tunisia plays a forehand during the women's singles final match against Jessica Pegula of the United States on day 10 of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 7, 2022, in Madrid, Spain. — Denis Doyle/Getty Images

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced today an upcoming tournament in Tunisia. 

The association, which governs women’s professional tennis, released its updated tournament schedule. The additions include the WTA 250 Jasmin Open Tunisia, which will take place in the coastal city Monastir on Oct. 3.

Why it matters: The decision followed recent success by Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur, who reached six in the world in the WTA’s rankings this month. She reached the finals of the Italian Open in Rome yesterday, losing to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. 

Jabeur is the top-ranked female player in the Middle East and North Africa, and encourages more Arab women to pick up rackets. Her rise has been heavily covered in Tunisian media. 

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