Ons Jabeur announces break from tennis, thanks fan - 'To breathe, to heal'

Ons Jabeur, the 29-year-old Tunisian tennis star and two-time Wimbledon finalist, announced on July 17 that she is taking an indefinite break from tennis to focus on her well-being, citing injuries and emotional strain over the past two years.The announcement follows her emotional first-round exit from Wimbledon, where she was forced to retire hurt against Viktoriya Tomova."For the past two years, I've been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges," Jabeur wrote on X. "But deep down, I haven't truly felt happy on the court for some time now."Jabeur's decision comes after reaching consecutive Wimbledon finals in 2022 and 2023, where she lost to Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova respectively. She also reached the 2022 US Open final.
"Tennis is such a beautiful sport," she said. "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."The Tunisian player made history as the first Arab and African woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final and achieved a career-high No. 2 ranking in the WTA in 2022.She has become known for her creative playing style, featuring drop shots and daring angles, as well as her humility and humor on the court."Even while I'm away from the court, I'll continue to stay close and connected in different ways, and share this journey with you all. Ons," she wrote.Jabeur reassured her supporters that this break is temporary, not permanent."Thank you to all my fans for understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always."Her announcement highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced by professional tennis players at the highest level of competition.