Former world No. 2 Ons Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, has decided to take a break from the sport.
The 30-year-old Jabeur, widely adored for her bright spirit and joyful presence on tour, admitted she hasn’t felt like herself on the court for quite some time, battling both physical and emotional hurdles. “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,” the first Arab woman to reach a major final wrote.
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Health issues have also played a role in her decision. The Tunisian suffers from asthma and encountered breathing problems during the 2025 Australian Open. Most recently, her Wimbledon run ended abruptly in the opening round, when she was forced to retire from her match against Viktoriya Tomova after a lengthy medical timeout.
“Tennis is such a beautiful sport. 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,” she added.
Jabeur has previously expressed her desire to start a family with her husband, former professional fencer Karim Kamoun, and her recent statement suggests that she’s prioritizing both her physical and emotional wellbeing at this stage in her life.
