This is our new family, Ons Jabeur says of Special Olympics UAE

Tunisian tennis sensation Ons Jabeur has teamed up with Special Olympics UAE to spread her love for the sport among athletes with disabilities, aiming to foster a new generation of tennis players with developmental challenges. "This is our new family," Jabeur told The National, emphasizing the profound impact of the collaboration.

During a recent practice session at the Ons Jabeur Tennis Academy in Dubai, Jabeur engaged with a group of 10 Special Olympics athletes and their coaches. The goal is to spot promising talent, offer expert guidance, and craft a comprehensive training program to elevate the athletes' tennis abilities. Jabeur, ranked as high as world No 2, expressed her desire for the athletes to enjoy the game and potentially compete on the international stage.

To enhance their understanding of the diverse range of developmental disabilities, Jabeur’s academy will send its coaches to participate in Special Olympics workshops. Clari Lehmkuhl, a world champion who won the women's singles tennis title at a recent championship, echoed the excitement surrounding the partnership, describing it as an "amazing opportunity."

Emirati athlete Marwan Al Khaja echoed these sentiments, highlighting the positive impact of unified teams on his athletic performance. Special Olympics UAE will collaborate with the academy to ensure coaches grasp the varying skill levels of each athlete, drawing up tailored programs to raise community awareness. Talal Al Hashemi, the national director of Special Olympics UAE, expressed pride in Jabeur's support, emphasizing how the initiative could unlock new opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Amr Badawi, head of sports and training at Special Olympics UAE, envisions this as a "new era of cooperation in tennis and inclusion," aiming to bolster tennis training for the World Games in Chile and provide athletes with more opportunities to represent their families, clubs, and country.