by Reem Abulleil, Feb 23, 2012
The ATP and WTA hit the Middle East for six weeks a year, with women’s events in Doha, Dubai and Fes, and men’s playing in Doha, Dubai and Casablanca.
Countries that host events have the advantage of being able to give their local players, or regional players, wild cards and it’s nice when those entries actually perform.
This week Tunisian teenager Ons Jabeur got a wild card into the qualifying draw and the 17-year-old did not disappoint. She beat a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist and current world No.33, Jie Zheng, who happened to be the top seed in the qualifying draw, before falling in the second round.
The support she got from the stands even though it was in the middle of the day and during the not-so-popular qualifying rounds just shows how much having Arab players compete in these events can attract locals to the tournament.
Jabeur was also granted a wild card in the main draw in Doha last week and she took a set off French veteran and former Dubai finalist, Virginie Razzano.
Doha gave main draw wild cards to three Arab ladies last week, Jabeur, Fatma Al Nabhani and Nadia Lalami. These are opportunities money can’t buy and I’m hoping the Dubai Tennis Championships continue to offer these chances to Arab players.
The men’s Championships kicks off on Monday, I’m excited to see who will be getting the wild cards.
