Ons Jabeur becomes the first Arab woman to reach fourth round of Wimbledon

Tunisian beats 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza in thrilling contest on Centre Court

Jabeur jumps in the air as she plays a forehand behind her back.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia celebrates after winning the 3rd round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain at the Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament in Wimbledon, Britain, 02 July 2021. EPA / NEIL HALL EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur celebrates winning her third round match against Spain's Garbine Muguruza.

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur celebrates winning her third round match against Spain's Garbine Muguruza.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia celebrates match point against Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur plays a return to Spain's Garbine Muguruza.

Ons Jabeur action against Garbine Muguruza.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia celeberates winning against Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia reacts after winning the 3rd round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Ons Jabeur was thrilled after becoming the first Arab woman to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon with a stunning win against 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza.

This 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 Centre Court victory against the 11th seed came two weeks after the 26-year-old from Tunisia became the first Arab to win a WTA title, triumphing in a Wimbledon warm-up event in Birmingham, England.

“It means a lot. Especially (with) so many Arab people watching me and supporting me. I’ve received a lot of messages from different people. It’s amazing. But I don’t want the journey to stop here. I want to continue,” said Jabeur, who is seeded 21st.

“I’m doing amazing. I’m getting more and more confident on the court," she added. "I mean, hopefully whoever is watching, I hope that so many (of the) young generation is watching, and I can inspire them.”

Jabeur will try to get to the second Grand Slam quarter-final of her career by defeating 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek on Monday.

She will be full of confidence after already beating a pair of players who have won multiple major titles: Muguruza and, in the second round, Venus Williams.

Her best performance at a Grand Slam so far was reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in 2020 and she is aiming for the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

"This is the first time I play on Centre Court, and it's amazing energy," Jabeur said.

"You can see lot of my emotions during this match. You can see me getting angry, smiling, laughing.

"It's an honour to always represent Tunisia. Even playing at Wimbledon and other Grand Slams, I feel like I not just play for myself but always play for my country.

"This win means a lot. Especially with so many Arab people watching me and supporting me."

Jabeur said her on-court vomiting just before the end of the match was related to stomach inflammation.

"I am okay. It has been going on for a while. It bothers me probably with the stress, fatigue, everything."