It feels like trailblazing Tunisian Ons Jabeur creates history pretty much every time she competes on a tennis court.
The constant flow of 'firsts' kept coming in 2021, as the 27-year-old sailed up the rankings from world No.31 to No.8 as one of the sport's elite players.
Jabeur's rise last season was incredibly impressive, yet methodically incremental. With her run to the Indian Wells semifinals in October, Jabeur ensured a top-10 debut to become the first Arab player to reach this milestone on either the WTA or ATP Tour.
"This is a dream coming true. This is something that I've been wanting. I always wanted to get there, to be No.1 in the world," said Jabeur at Indian Wells.
"Top 10, I know, is the beginning. I know I deserve this place for a long time since I was playing well. But I want to prove that I deserve to be one of the top 10 players.
"I just believed in myself, I worked hard, and this is just the beginning of great things."
Let's go back and follow Jabeur's memorable campaign.
28 March 2021: Shows signs in Miami
In the first couple of months of the season, Jabeur was struggling for momentum. But her form Stateside at the Miami Open signalled a change. She edged Paula Badosa 7-5 in the decider of a three-set thriller, then found the answers to defeat fourth seed Sofia Kenin 6-4 4-6 6-4 to book a last-16 ticket. Despite a turbulent three-set loss at the hands of Sara Sorribes Tormo, Miami got the ball rolling.
(Rankings rise after Miami: +2 to world No.28)
17 April 2021: Fortnight of delight
Onto the green clay in South Carolina, USA, and Jabeur posted four victories at the Charleston Open, including erasing a set deficit to Alize Cornet and dominating proceedings 6-3 6-3 against Coco Gauff to reach the semifinals. World No.91 Danka Kovinic sprung a surprise to relinquish just five games. The Tunisian stayed at the same venue to compete in the MUSC Health Women's Open and really clicked into gear, not dropping a set en route to the semifinals. A 6-3 6-0 revenge scoreline over Kovinic teed up a final spot, where Astra Sharma reeled in Jabeur 2-6 7-5 6-1.
(Rankings rise after Charleston double: +3 to world No.25)
5 June 2021: Repeat performance in Paris
For the second straight year, Jabeur earned a second-week slot in the Roland Garros draw. Jabeur took down Yulia Putintseva and avenged her Charleston loss to Sharma in straight sets, then defeated Magda Linette 3-6 6-0 6-1 to return to the last 16. Gauff was in the groove and halted the Tunisian 6-3 6-1.
(Rankings rise after Roland Garros: +2 to world No.24)
20 June 2021: Silverware brilliance in Birmingham
Jabeur transitioned from clay to grass with consummate ease. She claimed five wins, including four over top-100 opponents. The 27-year-old had to get an acceptance speech ready, dismissing fourth seed Daria Kasatkina 7-5 6-4 to become the first Arab woman to win a WTA singles title.
(Rankings rise after Birmingham: Stayed world No.24)
5 July 2021: Major moves at SW19
In three previous trips to the All England Club, Jabeur had picked up just one match win. But 2021 was very different, as the 21st seed quelled the firepower of former champion Venus Williams 7-5 6-0. She then managed to dissolve 7-5 first-set leads for 2017 Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza and Iga Swiatek to soar into the quarterfinals. The versatility and drop-shot wizardry was a hit with the SW19 crowds, as Jabeur became the first Arab woman ever to feature in the Wimbledon last eight. Second seed Aryna Sabalenka called time on her enthralling run in straight sets.
(Rankings rise after Wimbledon: +1 to world No.23)
13 August 2021: Milestone in Montreal
Battling into the third round, Jabeur was pitched against home favourite Bianca Andreescu, but undeterred she fought back 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1 to advance into the last eight. There was an extra reward as it guaranteed a debut in the top 20. Jessica Pegula posted a three-set comeback to send Jabeur onto the next event.
(Rankings rise after Montreal: +2 to world No.20)
2 October 2021: Final feeling once again
For the third consecutive season, Jabeur marked a third-round showing at the US Open before heading up to the Chicago Fall Tennis Classic. The Tunisian swatted aside Su-wei Hsieh 6-1 6-0, then collected a trio of top-30 triumphs. Jabeur was leading Elena Rybakina 6-4 3-2 in the semifinal before the Kazakh retired. Into the final and Garbine Muguruza’s firepower blazed through a 6-0 deciding set.
(Rankings rise after Chicago: +2 to world No.14)
14 October 2021: Top 10 calling
The highlight of a standout season came at Indian Wells. Jabeur found the answers 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 facing Anastasija Sevastova, and nullified the threat of Danielle Collins 6-1 6-3. In the quarterfinals, she prevailed 7-5 6-3 in a hotshot-laden duel with in-form Anett Kontaveit for a tour-leading 48th win of 2021.
In doing so, Jabeur booked a maiden spot in a WTA 1000 semifinal. Despite a straight-sets loss to eventual champion Badosa, she became the first Arab player in history to crack the prestigious top 10.
(Rankings rise after Indian Wells: +6 to world No.8)