Before Serena Williams’s well-publicised appearance at the Eastbourne International today, her doubles partner revealed that she had to keep the comeback of the 23-times grand-slam champion a secret for a month.
Ons Jabeur, the world No 3 from Tunisia, received a request to play from Williams’s team before the French Open. Understandably, it did not take her long to give an answer. “Eric [Hechtman, the coach of Serena] asked if I would consider doubles,” Jabeur said. “Not a second to think about it, it’s an obvious ‘yes’.
“I’m a good secret keeper. I told some close family and one close friend, but it was very tough to say it. I was super excited and I tried not to show it. Then everybody found out and
