Ons Jabeur made headlines at the start of the season when she announced she’d be switching to a new apparel sponsor, Kayanee. That’s because it wasn’t just any apparel deal: It was “an exclusive tennis line designed for her” by the Saudi Arabian women’s health and wellness brand, which launched last year as a part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist made her debut in Kayanee at the Australian Open last month, and despite her second-round exit it marked a major fashion milestone for the Arab No. 1 as the first tennis player to be sponsored by a Saudi brand. At the Abu Dhabi Open, Jabeur delighted Arab tennis fans as the No. 2 seed swept past former US Open champ Emma Raducanu 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday—all while wearing her new red, beige and mauve custom kit from Kayanee.
“I am thrilled to be part of Kayanee, a brand breaking new ground for women in Saudi Arabia and the region,” Jabeur said in a statement.
“Just as I’ve strived to push boundaries in my tennis career, Kayanee is breaking barriers in the realm of female fitness. Together, we share a commitment in promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.”