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Tribune News Network
Doha
Algerian tennis player Ines Ibbou makes her first appearance exclusively on beIN SPORTS to discuss the plea she has made to Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem following a decision on the Player Relief Fund. She will be joined by Algerian footballer Adlene Guedioura and retired Tunisian tennis player Selima Sfar on Friday (May 29) at 20:00 Mecca Time (GMT +3) on beIN SPORTS HD1 to discuss the coronavirus crisis.
Ibbou, who has a career high WTA ranking of 604 in singles and 741 in doubles, sent an open letter to Thiem after the latter criticised plans drawn up by Serbian World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to create an emergency fund to help lower-ranked players get through the COVID-19 lockdown.
The winner of two singles titles and two doubles titles on the ITF Women’s circuit said: “Just a reminder, it’s not because of your money that we survived until now. Nobody requested to you anything. The initiative went from generous players who showed instant compassion with a classy touch. Players eager to spread solidarity and find solutions to make a difference. Champions at all cost.”
After Ibbou’s video was posted on her social media accounts, former world number 1 and seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams replied saying, “You’re my hero” while world number 40 Nick Kyrgios, who had previously criticised Thiem over his comments added, “Respect”.
When asked about Dominic Thiem’s comments on the Player Relief Fund, Ibbou told beIN SPORTS: “By saying that many players do not deserve help because they are not professional enough, and did not give themselves thoroughly – many players and I were offended. I was very affected by these words and that is what made me react. I had to respond to the lack of respect we got as tennis players.”
On the message she got from Venus Williams, Ibbou said: “I expected that I would receive messages from players who are like me, but I was very honoured by the words of Venus Williams, but also of other players like Nick Kyrgios. Many players of this level support it and it’s an honour.”
Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune also offered support to Ibbou. “Algeria cannot lose a sporting talent like Ines Ibbou, who is very young and a flower of giving, in a specialty that rarely gives birth to Algerians who excel in it. All my support, support, and wishes for success in you, God willing,” he wrote on Twitter.
Algeria and Al Gharrafa football player Adlene Guedioura told beIN SPORTS: “I watched the video and I was very affected. I have known Ines for a few years and the reality is even more difficult in tennis. Knowing Ines and her character, her desire and her motivation, I did not find it normal that she was in these conditions. I decided to help her and accompany her. It’s very important to be united, we need this unity between athletes. I hope that this story will help in the future. I am very proud of her; she will surprise a lot of people in the future. I hope that people will help her to reach the top, and it will be an example for young talents.”
Ines Ibbou was taking part in the Monastir tournament in Tunisia when the country went into lockdown due to the pandemic – leaving her stranded in the country. In need of help and support, she contacted her friend Selima Sfar.
The beIN SPORTS’ analyst happily offered her support, she said: “Ines is like a young sister to me and I’m very happy to help her. She came to the Monastir tournament about two months ago and due to the lockdown, she was stuck in Tunisia. She contacted me and we were more than happy to help her. Ines has real potential and can go far in tennis.”
Doha
Algerian tennis player Ines Ibbou makes her first appearance exclusively on beIN SPORTS to discuss the plea she has made to Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem following a decision on the Player Relief Fund. She will be joined by Algerian footballer Adlene Guedioura and retired Tunisian tennis player Selima Sfar on Friday (May 29) at 20:00 Mecca Time (GMT +3) on beIN SPORTS HD1 to discuss the coronavirus crisis.
Ibbou, who has a career high WTA ranking of 604 in singles and 741 in doubles, sent an open letter to Thiem after the latter criticised plans drawn up by Serbian World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to create an emergency fund to help lower-ranked players get through the COVID-19 lockdown.
The winner of two singles titles and two doubles titles on the ITF Women’s circuit said: “Just a reminder, it’s not because of your money that we survived until now. Nobody requested to you anything. The initiative went from generous players who showed instant compassion with a classy touch. Players eager to spread solidarity and find solutions to make a difference. Champions at all cost.”
After Ibbou’s video was posted on her social media accounts, former world number 1 and seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams replied saying, “You’re my hero” while world number 40 Nick Kyrgios, who had previously criticised Thiem over his comments added, “Respect”.
When asked about Dominic Thiem’s comments on the Player Relief Fund, Ibbou told beIN SPORTS: “By saying that many players do not deserve help because they are not professional enough, and did not give themselves thoroughly – many players and I were offended. I was very affected by these words and that is what made me react. I had to respond to the lack of respect we got as tennis players.”
On the message she got from Venus Williams, Ibbou said: “I expected that I would receive messages from players who are like me, but I was very honoured by the words of Venus Williams, but also of other players like Nick Kyrgios. Many players of this level support it and it’s an honour.”
Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune also offered support to Ibbou. “Algeria cannot lose a sporting talent like Ines Ibbou, who is very young and a flower of giving, in a specialty that rarely gives birth to Algerians who excel in it. All my support, support, and wishes for success in you, God willing,” he wrote on Twitter.
Algeria and Al Gharrafa football player Adlene Guedioura told beIN SPORTS: “I watched the video and I was very affected. I have known Ines for a few years and the reality is even more difficult in tennis. Knowing Ines and her character, her desire and her motivation, I did not find it normal that she was in these conditions. I decided to help her and accompany her. It’s very important to be united, we need this unity between athletes. I hope that this story will help in the future. I am very proud of her; she will surprise a lot of people in the future. I hope that people will help her to reach the top, and it will be an example for young talents.”
Ines Ibbou was taking part in the Monastir tournament in Tunisia when the country went into lockdown due to the pandemic – leaving her stranded in the country. In need of help and support, she contacted her friend Selima Sfar.
The beIN SPORTS’ analyst happily offered her support, she said: “Ines is like a young sister to me and I’m very happy to help her. She came to the Monastir tournament about two months ago and due to the lockdown, she was stuck in Tunisia. She contacted me and we were more than happy to help her. Ines has real potential and can go far in tennis.”
