Young Algerian Player's Emotional Reply To Dominic Thiem Draws Support From Tennis Stars
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Last month, Dominic Thiem had expressed scepticism about plans to set up a fund to help lower-ranked players struggling because of the shutdown of the sport.
Ines Ibbou has drawn support from Venus Williams as well as her country's government.© Instagram
Highlights
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Ines Ibbou, a young Algerian tennis player, hit back at Dominic Thiem
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Ibbou got support from tennis stars like Venus Williams, Nick Kyrgios
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Thiem had said he did not want to give money to lowly-ranked players
Dear Dominic, Your last words were hurtful to say the least, the reason why i decided to write you this open letter. Hopefully you'll change your mind about me and many of us sharing the same situation after watching this video. Don't get me wrong, i don't blame you for what you are or this current situation because after all, it's mainly up to national and international federations to look after tennis family and sort out difficulties, for the sake of this sport. But this answer is a way to bring light to our situation and maybe also protecting our integrity... Our voice deserve to be heard also... Thanks for those who helped me put my anger into words, and words into images @players_voice @tennistv @tennischannel @tennislegend @tennis.reporter @behindtheracquet @itf__tennis @wta @atptour @tennismagazinefrance @functionaltennis @wearetennis @playersvsitf @rafaelnadal @djokernole @k1ngkyrg1os @rogerfederer @andymurray @patrickmouratoglou @serenawilliams @onfiresports @dreddy_ja @onsjabeur @ajplus @lequipe @lemondefr @washingtonpost @athlete365 @olympicchannel @qatartennis @rafanadalacademy @ajplusfrancais @remi_physiosport @selimasfar @adelaref @gym_factory_casablanca @bonbinodz @keeponrizing @adleneg17 @bbcsport @skysports @beinsports_fr @beinsports @espntenis @worldteamtennis @welovetennisofficiel A post shared by Ines Ibbou (@ines_ibbou) on
Last week, the WTA and ATP along with the ITF and the four Grand Slam tournaments said they had set up a "Player Relief Programme" to help the players hardest hit by the coronavirus, adding that they had contributed more than $6 million.
"Helping players is helping the game to survive," said Ibbou, directly addressing Thiem. "We do not ask anything of you except a bit of respect."
While the letter has not yet drawn a response from Thiem, it has brought a reaction from other players.
"You're my hero," Venus Williams reacted under Ibbou's Instagram post. Nick Kyrgios, who had already criticised Thiem, added "Respect" and some emoticons and promised his support when Ibbou thanked him.
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The implicit criticism of her own country also drew a response from the Algerian government.
On Sunday, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune tweeted that "Algeria cannot lose a sporting talent like Ines Ibbou."
On Monday, Sports Minister Sid Ali Khaldi posted on Facebook that he had called a Ibbou, who is in Tunisia, and "assured her of the state's readiness to support her".
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