Ons Jabeur, the 29-year-old Tunisian tennis star and two-time Wimbledon finalist, introduced on July 17 that she is taking an indefinite break from tennis to concentrate on her well-being, citing accidents and emotional pressure over the previous two years.The announcement follows her emotional first-round exit from Wimbledon, the place she was compelled to retire harm towards Viktoriya Tomova.“For the previous two years, I have been pushing myself so onerous, combating via accidents and dealing with many different challenges,” Jabeur wrote on X. “However deep down, I have not actually felt completely happy on the courtroom for a while now.”Jabeur’s choice comes after reaching consecutive Wimbledon finals in 2022 and 2023, the place she misplaced to Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova respectively. She additionally reached the 2022 US Open ultimate.
“Tennis is such a wonderful sport,” she mentioned. “However proper now, I really feel it is time to take a step again and eventually put myself first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the enjoyment of merely residing.”The Tunisian participant made historical past as the primary Arab and African girl to succeed in a Grand Slam singles ultimate and achieved a career-high No. 2 rating within the WTA in 2022.She has change into recognized for her artistic enjoying type, that includes drop photographs and daring angles, in addition to her humility and humor on the courtroom.“Even whereas I am away from the courtroom, I will proceed to remain shut and linked in numerous methods, and share this journey with you all. Ons,” she wrote.Jabeur reassured her supporters that this break is momentary, not everlasting.“Thanks to all my followers for understanding. Your assist and love imply the world to me. I carry it with me at all times.”Her announcement highlights the bodily and emotional challenges confronted by skilled tennis gamers on the highest stage of competitors.