Ons Jabeur has decided to take a break from professional tennis following an emotional exit from Wimbledon. Jabeur, aged 30, had reached the women’s singles final at SW19 in both 2022 and 2023 but unfortunately lost both matches.
During this year’s Wimbledon tournament, Jabeur’s match against Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria lasted a brief 26 minutes. After losing a critical game, Jabeur broke down in tears and appeared visibly distressed when returning to her bench.
Seeking medical assistance, Jabeur’s blood pressure and vital signs were assessed before she was escorted away from Court 14. Despite attempting to compose herself for fifteen minutes, she eventually retired in the second set while trailing 6-7, 0-2.
In a recent statement, Jabeur announced her decision to take a hiatus from tennis in order to rediscover the joy of living. She expressed that despite pushing through injuries and various challenges over the past two years, she has not genuinely felt happy on the court for some time. Jabeur emphasized the importance of prioritizing self-care, healing, and finding happiness outside of tennis.
Currently ranked 71st in the world, Jabeur did not provide a specific reason for her withdrawal from Wimbledon. She mentioned feeling unwell despite good practice days leading up to the tournament, expressing sadness and a blow to her confidence.
Reflecting on the pressures of professional tennis, Jabeur highlighted the internal guilt players face regarding performance, sponsor expectations, rankings, and supporting families. She acknowledged the mental and physical toll of competing at a high level in the sport.
Jabeur notably faced defeats in the 2022 Wimbledon final to Elena Rybakina, a subsequent loss to Marketa Vondrousova in 2023, and a defeat by Iga Swiatek in the 2022 US Open final.