Ons Jabeur Announces Break from Tennis to Prioritise Wellbeing

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur has announced she is stepping away from the sport to focus on her personal well-being after what she described as two emotionally and physically challenging years.

In a heartfelt statement shared on social media on Thursday, the former world number two said she had been battling injuries and internal struggles that ultimately dulled her joy for the game.

“I’ve been pushing myself for the past two years, dealing with injuries and various challenges,” Jabeur said. “But the truth is, I haven’t felt genuinely happy on court in a long time.”

The 30-year-old, who has reached three Grand Slam finals, said she now feels the need to prioritise her mental and physical health.

“Tennis is a beautiful sport, but right now, I need to take a step back to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of simply living,” added Jabeur, who is currently ranked 71st in the world.

Jabeur’s struggles were evident during this year’s Grand Slam season. She exited in the first round at the French Open and was forced to retire during her Wimbledon opener in June, though she did not specify the reason for her withdrawal.

“I wasn’t expecting not to feel good. I’d been training well in the days before,” she said at the time. “These things happen, but it’s hard. It’s a blow to my confidence.”

Following her early loss in Paris, Jabeur spoke candidly about the pressures professional tennis players face, especially when managing injuries.

“I’ve spent most of my career pushing through injuries,” she said. “There’s this constant guilt, like you’re never doing enough. The pressure from sponsors, rankings, and sometimes even the need to support families, it all adds up.”

Jabeur remains one of the most beloved figures in tennis, known for her charisma, creativity on court, and strong rapport with both fans and fellow players. She was runner-up at Wimbledon in both 2022 and 2023 and reached the US Open final in 2022.