Ons Jabeur has now released a statement about her future in tennis, explaining why she will be taking a step back from the sport.
It has been a torrid past few years for the Tunisian, dubbed the ‘Minister of Happiness’.
Alas, good fortune has not favoured such a good-natured individual, who has been consistently struck down with various injuries, prohibiting her ability to compete at the highest level.
Once a Wimbledon finalist in back-to-back years, she now struggles to complete matches as her body continually fails her.
As such, Ons Jabeur has made the tough decision to step back from the sport, releasing an accompanying statement explaining why.
Ons Jabeur releases statement on her future in tennis
Taking to Instagram, her message was one full of emotion, as she has clearly thought long and hard about such a big decision.
But, with the struggles she has faced both on and off the court, few can really argue with the move.
It’s so sad to watch a player who once brought such joy to all tennis fans regularly involved in heartbreaking news, with her recent retirement from the Wimbledon first round just the tip of the iceberg.
This is an issue that has persisted for years, and the 30-year-old has tried everything. Everything except this.
Hopefully, it can bring her the peace and health she seeks, both in her everyday life and as a tennis professional in the future.
Ons Jabeur has always been open about what she wants most
Given Jabeur recently withdrew from Washington, the signs of such a break were evident.
However, few would have expected her to make such a bold decision.
But having lost three Grand Slam finals, and now having her body fail physically, there’s little left for her to do but take a break.
Perhaps this might even be the perfect time to do what she’s never been shy of professing.
At the start of the year, she admitted: “I want to return to playing at my highest level consistently and compete against the world’s best. My wish is to win a Grand Slam and do it while staying true to my tennis. This year is crucial for me because I want to start a family, but I try not to think too much about it because it puts a lot of pressure on me.”
Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images
Perhaps this break might afford her more clarity to plan out her immediate future, and come to terms with what she really wants from the next few years of her life.