'I Haven't Felt Truly Happy': Ons Jabeur Emotionally Announces Break From Tennis

Friday, 18 July 2025 at 12:30

byJordan Reynolds

The WTA Tour will have to manage without one of its most popular players for an extended period after Ons Jabeur announced she was stepping away from the sport for a while.

In 2022 and 2023, Jabeur was one of the best players in the world. The Tunisian became known worldwide after reaching the 2022 Wimbledon final, losing it to Elena Rybakina despite winning the opening set.

Jabeur responded to that setback by reaching the 2022 US Open final a few weeks later. Iga Swiatek, the dominant player during that year, defeated her in straight sets to secure her first Grand Slam title outside the French Open.

Although those defeats were tough, Jabeur's 2023 Wimbledon loss was the most brutal of all. She started as a pretty heavy favorite against Marketa Vondrousova, but never got close to her best level in a 4-6, 4-6 loss.

The two years since that moment have been challenging. Jabeur's results have declined considerably, and she has dealt with physical issues, including a persistent knee problem and having to end her 2024 season early because of a shoulder injury.

In a statement released on her social media accounts, Jabeur admitted she has not felt content during matches for a considerable period and was taking a break from professional tennis to recover from injuries and feel happy in life again.

"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."

"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 simply rediscover the joy of living. Thank you to all my fans for understanding. Your support and love means the world to me. I carry it with me always."

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Jabeur's game is among the best to watch on the WTA or ATP Tour. The 30-year-old incorporates drop shots, slices, net play, and exhilarating shot-making during her matches.

Many players have quite monotonous games based around powerful hitting from the baseline without much variation. Jabeur's unique style is a welcome change and has been enjoyed by millions of fans worldwide.

Aryna Sabalenka, a close friend of Jabeur's, is also taking some time off, although the Tunisian's break sounds like it will be for longer. The WTA world No. 1 withdrew from the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal due to fatigue.

Sabalenka's decision is entirely understandable. She has been to seven finals this season, including at the 2025 Australian Open and the 2025 French Open, both of which she lost. Another tough loss in the 2025 Wimbledon semifinal means Sabalenka probably needs a mental and physical rest.

This year's Canadian Open women's singles will still feature great players like Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Swiatek and Jannik Sinner, the men's singles winner at Wimbledon, created headlines for their dance together, something the Pole insisted they do.