Ons Jabeur hilariously backs Jessica Pegula's take on including trash talk in tennis

Ons Jabeur weighed in on Jessica Pegula's opinion on including trash talk in tennis in her post-match interview on Thursday, April 6.

The second seed was up against American wildcard Caroline Dolehide in the third round of the 2023 Charleston Open. Jabeur fought back from break points in both sets to register a straight-set, 6-3, 7-5 victory.

During an interview with the Tennis Channel following her win, the Tunisian was asked to comment on Jessica Pegula's statement regarding bringing trash-talking into the sport.

The question was in reference to Pegula's interview with her doubles partner, Coco Gauff, where she opined that trash talk was commonplace during matches and possibly made the sport more fun. Pegula then took to social media to ask others to share their thoughts on the subject.

Before the interviewer could wrap up the question, Jabeur chimed in enthusiastically.

"Oh,I'm there! I'm the best at it, you know," she joked.

Jabeur then clarified that she would later apologize and hug her opponent as she could hardly keep up with the facade. She then playfully added that trash-talking and then hugging will keep the opponents guessing whether she meant any of it.

"But after, I apologoize and hug the other, you know. I don't last for long," she laughed. "You know, they don't know if it's true or not."

Ons Jabeur and Jessica Pegula advance at Charleston Open 2023

Jessica Pegula at the 2023 Miami Open

Jessica Pegula and Ons Jabeur advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Charleston Open.

Last year's finalist Jabeur will next face Russian Anna Kalinskaya. The Tunisian overcame Lesia Tsurenko and Caroline Dolehide in the second and third rounds, respectively, without dropping a set.

Kalinskaya, meanwhile, will be confident heading into the quarter-final clash after upsetting sixth seed Victoria Azarenka in straight sets. This is the 24-year-old's deepest run in the Charleston Open.

The two players have met once on-court at the 2021 Indian Wells and their head-to-head stands at 1-0 in Jabeur's favor.

Fresh off her doubles title win at the Miami Open, Jessica Pegula made a strong start to the tournament, defeating Anna Blinkova and 15th seed Irina Camelia Begu in the second and third rounds, respectively. The American will next square off against Paula Badosa.

12th seed Badosa began her campaign with wins over Mayar Sheriff and Leylah Fernandez. She sailed past Diana Shnaider 6-1, 6-3 in the previous round and is yet to drop a set in the tournament.

The two players have met once on-court at the 2022 Miami Open and their head-to-head stands at 1-0 in Pegula's favor.