Netherlands’ Jacqueline crowned women’s champion in Oman Open
Published: 07:02 PM,Feb 14,2025 | EDITED : 11:02 PM,Feb 14,2025
Jacqueline Verhaegen from the Netherlands plays a return. – Abdulwahid Al Hamadani
Muscat, Feb 14
Jacqueline Verhaegen from the Netherlands secured the women's title of the Oman Open Tennis Championship after defeating Oman's Aisha al Busaidy 7-6, 7-6 in the final on Thursday. The intense match lasted over two hours on the main court at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
Jacqueline expressed her happiness with the victory, emphasising that winning the title had been her goal from the start. She said, 'I had envisioned this moment beforehand, and when the victory finally came, my joy was overwhelming.'
She highlighted the special significance of this title, especially after being eliminated in the semifinals of the previous edition, which made her even more determined to give her best this year.
Jacqueline spoke about the challenges she faced in the final match, praising Al Busaidy’s performance and describing her as a strong competitor with powerful shots. She said, 'I knew that trying to match her playing style would put me at a disadvantage, so I focused on executing deep, high-spin shots, which ultimately allowed me to control the match.'
Growth of Women’s Tennis in Oman
The Dutch champion described the Oman Open Tennis Championship as a well-organised and smooth event. She noted that the initial matches were relatively easy, which did not provide her with sufficient preparation for the tougher encounters in the later rounds. She also pointed out that while the singles competition was strong this year, the doubles and mixed doubles competitions in the previous edition were more challenging. She expressed hope for the return of mixed doubles in the future, as it adds excitement to the competition.
Jacqueline also praised the development of women’s tennis in Oman, highlighting the noticeable improvement in Al Busaidy’s performance compared to last year. She said, 'Aisha delivered an outstanding performance this year, which reflects the progress of women’s tennis in the Sultanate of Oman.'
On her part, Al Busaidy expressed satisfaction with her performance in the final despite the loss. She said, 'It was a tough and closely contested match. I gave it my all, but Jacqueline was the better player today.'
She also appreciated Jacqueline’s praise, considering the championship a valuable learning experience that would help her improve in the future. She emphasised that such tournaments play a crucial role in raising the level of Omani female players. She added, 'Competing against more experienced players helps me enhance my skills and gain more confidence.'
Al Busaidy also discussed the level of competition across different categories, noting that the Under-18 final she played yesterday was tough, but she managed to win. However, she acknowledged that the competition in the open women's category was much more challenging, making it a more beneficial experience for her as a player aiming to develop her skills.
Pics by Abdulwahid Al Hamadani
Jacqueline Verhaegen from the Netherlands secured the women's title of the Oman Open Tennis Championship after defeating Oman's Aisha al Busaidy 7-6, 7-6 in the final on Thursday. The intense match lasted over two hours on the main court at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
Jacqueline expressed her happiness with the victory, emphasising that winning the title had been her goal from the start. She said, 'I had envisioned this moment beforehand, and when the victory finally came, my joy was overwhelming.'
She highlighted the special significance of this title, especially after being eliminated in the semifinals of the previous edition, which made her even more determined to give her best this year.
Jacqueline spoke about the challenges she faced in the final match, praising Al Busaidy’s performance and describing her as a strong competitor with powerful shots. She said, 'I knew that trying to match her playing style would put me at a disadvantage, so I focused on executing deep, high-spin shots, which ultimately allowed me to control the match.'
Growth of Women’s Tennis in Oman
The Dutch champion described the Oman Open Tennis Championship as a well-organised and smooth event. She noted that the initial matches were relatively easy, which did not provide her with sufficient preparation for the tougher encounters in the later rounds. She also pointed out that while the singles competition was strong this year, the doubles and mixed doubles competitions in the previous edition were more challenging. She expressed hope for the return of mixed doubles in the future, as it adds excitement to the competition.
Jacqueline also praised the development of women’s tennis in Oman, highlighting the noticeable improvement in Al Busaidy’s performance compared to last year. She said, 'Aisha delivered an outstanding performance this year, which reflects the progress of women’s tennis in the Sultanate of Oman.'
On her part, Al Busaidy expressed satisfaction with her performance in the final despite the loss. She said, 'It was a tough and closely contested match. I gave it my all, but Jacqueline was the better player today.'
She also appreciated Jacqueline’s praise, considering the championship a valuable learning experience that would help her improve in the future. She emphasised that such tournaments play a crucial role in raising the level of Omani female players. She added, 'Competing against more experienced players helps me enhance my skills and gain more confidence.'
Al Busaidy also discussed the level of competition across different categories, noting that the Under-18 final she played yesterday was tough, but she managed to win. However, she acknowledged that the competition in the open women's category was much more challenging, making it a more beneficial experience for her as a player aiming to develop her skills.
Pics by Abdulwahid Al Hamadani