Jabeur becomes first Arab tennis player to reach top 10

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur became the first Arab tennis player to break into the world’s top 10 on Monday, while Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa gained 14 places in the WTA rankings. Jabeur, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist earlier this year, was beaten by Spain’s Badosa in the Indian Wells semifinals last Friday. Before the tournament, 14th place […]

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur became the first Arab tennis player to break into the world’s top 10 on Monday, while Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa gained 14 places in the WTA rankings.

Jabeur, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist earlier this year, was beaten by Spain’s Badosa in the Indian Wells semifinals last Friday.

Before the tournament, 14th place was the highest achieved by Arab players, a record which was jointly held by Jabeur and former Moroccan star Younes El Aynaoui.

The 23-year-old Badosa, who beat Victoria Azarenka in Saturday’s final in California, started the year as the world number 70 but has now climbed to 13th.