\n<\/p>\n
Wimbledon 2022 finalist Ons Jabeur joked about pretending to be Cristiano Ronaldo after claiming a first round victory in straight sets on her favourite surface.<\/span><\/p>\n The world number six comfortably beat Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-3 6-3 to progress.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The reference to Portuguese football icon Ronaldo came in her post-match interview when asked why she had such a love of grass when not accustomed to playing on it in her native Tunisia.<\/span><\/p>\n “I played a lot of football on grass, I love football so much,” Jabeur replied.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s amazing to come back here, the grass is so beautiful. I love connecting with the nature and seeing all the flowers everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n “Maybe I pretend to be Cristiano Ronaldo playing here.”<\/span><\/p>\n The 28-year-old also admitted her return to SW19 provided a challenge following <\/span>her defeat to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in her first Grand Slam final last year.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n “I entered the locker room and saw Elena’s photo with the trophy, so it didn’t help at all,” she said.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m trying to enjoy my time here, trying to enjoy tennis, doing some cool drop shots, and see what happens.<\/span><\/p>\n “Maybe it reflects my character. I like to joke around a bit and hate routine, so doing those shots doesn’t really go to the basic forehand or backhand, and I like to entertain the crowd with cool shots.<\/span><\/p>\n “It always feels so great to come back and last year I had amazing run hopefully this year will be a little bit better.”<\/span><\/p>\n