Ons Jabeur Steps Away from Competitive Tennis
Ons Jabeur, a notable figure in women’s tennis and a three-time finalist at Grand Slam tournaments, announced on Thursday via social media that she will be stepping away from competitive play for the time being. At 30 years old, this Tunisian athlete made history as the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam final, but her recent performance has been below her usual standard, with her best showing this year being a third-round exit at a major event.
Recent Challenges and Health Issues
Her Wimbledon journey concluded abruptly this past month when she had to withdraw during her first-round match against Viktoriya Tomova, unable to continue after a lengthy medical timeout. In addition to this setback, Jabeur has previously struggled with asthma, which noticeably affected her performance during the Australian Open earlier this year, leading to significant breathing issues.
Reflections on Happiness and Self-Care
Known affectionately as the “minister of happiness” due to her upbeat demeanor, Jabeur expressed that she has not felt genuine happiness on the court lately.
“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,”
she shared in her heartfelt statement.
The former No. 2 ranked player emphasized the beauty of tennis while indicating a need for personal reflection and self-care. She stated,
“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.”
Future Aspirations
Jabeur, who is married to ex-fencer Karim Kamoun, has also candidly talked about her aspirations to start a family. In closing her announcement, she expressed gratitude towards her fans, saying,
“Thank you to all my fans for understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always.”
