Tunisia issues national postage stamp in honour of tennis ace Ons Jabeur

The Tunisian trailblazer - who recently became the first Arab and African female tennis player to reach the Wimbledon final - was among 22 women honoured by Tunisia's postal service for their contributions to their respective fields.

Sports

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

13 August, 2022

Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur has made history numerous times throughout her playing career, for both the African continent and the Arab world [Getty]

Tunisian tennis superstar Ons Jabeur has been honoured with a postage stamp bearing her image following her latest trailblazing achievements in the sport.

The stamp, unveiled by Tunisia's postal service, depicts Jabeur pumping her fist and carrying the national flag.

The stamp was one of 22 that paid tribute to Tunisian women who have distinguished themselves in various fields.

The series of stamps was shown at an exhibition in the capital Tunis that commemorated Women’s Day, which is celebrated on 13 August in the North African country.

Ons honoured on postage stamp 🇹🇳❤️ pic.twitter.com/HWzUShU8RN
— Ons Jabeur Fan Club (@OnsJabeurFans) August 12, 2022

It included Fatma Haddad, the first Tunisian woman to hold a state doctorate in philosophy, and the Berber queen Kahina or Dihya, who lead an indigenous resistance against invaders in 7th century North Africa.

Some observers said Poste Tunisie had made some glaring omissions in its stamp series - including of elected officials from Ennahda, Tunisia's biggest party in parliament until President Kais Saied launched a coup in July of last year.

The absence of Meherzia Laabidi—an Ennahda member who became the most senior elected woman to ever hold political office in the Middle East & North Africa—seems a glaring exception in this new stamp set commemorating influential Tunisian women. https://t.co/nnHOal90VM
— Monica Marks (@MonicaLMarks) August 12, 2022

Jabeur has had a stellar 2022, winning her biggest title to date, the Madrid Open, in May.

She reached the Wimbledon final in July - becoming the first African or Arab woman to do so in the Open era.

"Through this victory, she has succeeded in opening up horizons of hope for the young men and women of Tunisia," a description from Poste Tunisie accompanying the stamp read.

Her successes have seen her propelled to icon status in her home country.

The 27-year-old currently ranks fifth in the world, making her the highest-ranked male or female African and Arab tennis player in the sport’s history.