Ons Jabeur further advanced the momentum, becoming the first Arab woman to make a Grand Slam final. As a result, she has decided to step away from competitive tennis, as she recently announced. For the 30-year-old Tunisian, those past two years have been marked by challenges, injuries, a fight to regain and sustain form. We can’t forget Jabeur’s historic run that led her to the Wimbledon finals in 2022. This year she has hit a rough patch, typically unable to make it past the third round of big tournaments.
Jabeur’s announcement comes after a particularly brutal four months of health issues. She dealt with asthma, leading to respiratory distress during this year’s Australian Open. Her physical struggles culminated in her retirement from the first round of Wimbledon after a lengthy medical timeout against Viktoriya Tomova.
She described her experience candidly, stating,
“For the past two years, I’ve been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges. But deep down, I haven’t truly felt happy on the court for some time now.” – Ons Jabeur
Stepping away from the sport was not an easy decision. On taking her recovery seriously, Jabeur spoke about the importance of self-care and recovery, stating further that,
“Tennis is such a beautiful sport. But right now, I feel it’s time to take a step back and finally put myself first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of simply living.” – Ons Jabeur
Jabeur’s journey has captured global admiration due in part to her landmark accomplishments. Her sunny disposition has made her beloved among her teammates, who have nicknamed her “Sunshine.” Married to former fencer Karim Kamoun, Jabeur has consistently inspired fans and fellow athletes alike with her resilience and positivity.
The Tunisian player thanked her fans, friends and family for their support as she dives into this new phase of her career.
“Thank you to all my fans for understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always.” – Ons Jabeur
Jabeur will be taking an indefinite break from competitive tennis to focus on her health and well-being. The tennis community will be waiting eagerly to see her return to the game. Her legacy in the sport, and inspiration for Arab women in the space will surely continue to influence generations to come.
