Ons Jabeur announced she will take a break from tennis to ‘rediscover the joy of simply living’.

The three-time Grand Slam finalist confirmed the news in an emotional statement posted to her social channels.

AFP
Jabeur opened up on her struggles over the last two years in a heart-wrenching post[/caption]

“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.

“Thank you to all my fans for your understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always.

“Even while I’m away from the court, I’ll continue to stay close and connected in different ways, and share this journey with you all.”

A number of tennis stars shared their support for Jabeur underneath her post.

Three-time grand slam winner Aryna Sabalenka, who is also close friends with Jabeur, wrote: “We will miss you.”

American star Asia Muhammad posted: “We love you!! Sending the biggest hugs.”

Jabeur’s decision to step away from the sport comes just weeks after she retired from her first round encounter at Wimbledon against Viktoriya Tomova.

Amid sweltering heat in SW19, Jabeur took a medical time out when she trailed 3-2 in the opening set.

The Tunisian was visibly emotional during her first round match at Wimbledon

As she waited for the physio to come onto the court, the Tunisian broke down in tears and was visibly struggling.

She had her blood pressure checked before she departed the court for further assessment.

Although Jabeur returned to the court after a 14-minute delay, she was unable to rescue the first set as Tomova won a tiebreak.

Jabeur lasted just two games in the second set before she retired.

It marked the 30-year-old’s first opening round exit at Wimbledon since 2019.

Jabeur shot to prominence in 2022 when she made the final at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Jabeur has reached the final at three Majors but sadly fell short each time
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However, she was beaten by Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek at the All England Club and Flushing Meadows respectively.

Jabeur returned to the final at Wimbledon in 2023 but once again fell short, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Marketa Vondrousova who became the first unseeded ladies’ single champion in SW19 during the Open Era.

But since her defeat in 2023, Jabeur has not returned to the final at a grand slam.

Her best finish is a run to the quarter-finals of the 2024 French Open.