Ons Jabeur has emotional speech after losing final

One of the bravest things any athlete can do is face the music immediately after a crushing loss in a prominent spot. The first understandable human instinct for a person is probably to turtle and get some privacy.

However, when you’re one of the best players in the world, like Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, you have a greater responsibility.

That’s especially the case for young generations.

Saturday, Jabeur (-154) lost the 2022 Wimbledon final to Elena Rybakina. For Jabeur — the current world No. 2, in her first career Grand Slam final — it might be the toughest loss of her career to this point.

But the Tunisian athlete — as the first Arab and African woman in a Grand Slam final, per The Guardian — seemed to recognize the words of her speech as more important than a game:

Wow. Is someone cutting onions?

Here’s the central part of Jabeur’s touching, heartfelt speech:

“I love this tournament so much, and I feel really sad but it’s tennis, there is only one winner. I’m really happy. … I’m trying to inspire the next generations from my country . I hope they’re listening.”

With a person as talented, influential and relatable as Jabeur, chances are someone has definitely been inspired by her play and her words.