Ons Jabeur has decided to take a hiatus from professional tennis after experiencing a distressing exit from Wimbledon. The 30-year-old Tunisian, who reached the women’s singles final at Wimbledon in both 2022 and 2023, faced an emotional defeat in this year’s tournament against Viktoriya Tomova from Bulgaria.
During their brief 26-minute match, Jabeur became overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears after losing a game. She sought medical attention as her distress became apparent, with staff checking her blood pressure and vital signs before guiding her off Court 14.
Despite returning to the court after a 15-minute break, Jabeur eventually retired during the second set while trailing 6-7, 0-2. In a recent statement, she expressed her decision to take a break from tennis to focus on rediscovering the simple joys of life, citing a lack of true happiness on the court in recent years.
Ranked 71st in the world presently, Jabeur, who once held the second rank, did not provide a specific reason for her Wimbledon withdrawal. She expressed disappointment at not feeling well and struggling with confidence, especially after practicing diligently in the days leading up to the tournament.
Reflecting on her recent challenges, Jabeur highlighted the physical and emotional toll that professional tennis has taken on her, mentioning the pressure of injuries, sponsor obligations, rankings, and the responsibility of providing for families. Despite her previous successes and setbacks in major tournaments like Wimbledon, the French Open, and the US Open, Jabeur emphasized the demanding nature of the sport and the internal struggles faced by players.
As Jabeur takes this break from tennis, she expressed gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support and pledged to stay connected with them throughout her journey.
