Ons Jabeur has announced a break from professional competition to prioritize her mental and physical health.
The 30-year-old Tunisian, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, shared the news in a heartfelt statement posted to her social media accounts on Thursday, explaining her need to step away from the sport she has helped transform.
“For the past two years, I’ve been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges,” Jabeur wrote. “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 rediscover the joy of simply living.”
Jabeur’s decision arrives after a difficult run on tour, where persistent injuries and the weight of expectations have taken their toll.
She became the first Arab and North African woman to reach a Grand Slam final, making history at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023, as well as at the US Open in 2022.
Jabeur has consistently spoken up about the mental and emotional demands of the sport. Her openness about the struggles now adds to a growing number of players prioritizing health over rankings or trophies.
Notably, she isn’t the only one as Naomi Osaka and Ash Barty’s have also spoken about the same.
Additionally, Jabeur did not specify how long her break would last. However, it seems like she needs time to reconnect with herself and rediscover her love for life away from competition. Fans, fellow players, and tennis organizations quickly rallied around her post, eliciting a plethora of support and understanding.
With that being said, there is no denying that she has inspired a generation, broken barriers, and elevated Arab and African tennis on the global stage.
Whether her return comes sooner or later, the tennis world will be ready to welcome her back with open arms.