Three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur says she is taking a break from competitive tennis.
The 30-year-old made the announcement in a social media post on Thursday.
Tunisia’s Jabeur, the first Arab woman to reach a grand slam final, has struggled with her form in recent months, failing to advance past the third round of a major tournament this year.
The two-time Wimbledon finalist’s campaign came to a disappointing end at the All England Club last month as she withdrew from her first-round clash against Viktoriya Tomova, unable to continue after a lengthy medical timeout.
The former world number two suffers from asthma and experienced breathing difficulties during this year’s Australian Open.
Jabeur, often called the “Minister of Happiness” because of her cheerful personality, said she didn’t really feel happy on the field.
“Over the past two years, I have tried hard, battled injuries and faced many other challenges. But deep down, I haven’t really felt happy on the pitch for some time now,” she said in a statement.
“Tennis is such a beautiful sport. But right now, I feel like it’s time to step back and finally put myself first: breathe, heal, and rediscover the joy of simply living.”
Jabeur, married to former fencer Karim Kamoun, has also openly expressed her wish to start a family.
“Thank you to all my fans for their understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always,” she said.
Reuters
