African Tennis Star Ons Jabeur’s Wimbledon Hopes Dashed by Breathing Difficulties
In a disappointing turn of events, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon runner-up, was forced to retire from her first-round match on Monday due to difficulty breathing. This latest setback comes amidst an already challenging season plagued by injuries. Jabeur, 30, was trailing Viktoriya Tomova 7-6 (5), 2-0 when she made the difficult decision to quit the match.
As the match progressed, Jabeur’s struggles became increasingly apparent. She was visited by a trainer during the first set and at one point, was overcome with emotion, sitting on her sideline seat and crying into a towel. In a post-match interview, Jabeur expressed her disappointment and frustration, saying, "I wasn’t expecting not to feel good. I have been practicing pretty well the last few days. But I guess these things happen." She added, "I’m pretty sad. Doesn’t really help me with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do even though it was a very tough season for me."
Jabeur’s impressive tennis career has been marked by notable achievements, including finalist appearances at the 2022 Wimbledon, 2023 Wimbledon, and 2022 U.S. Open. However, her 2024 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, and she has also been dealing with leg problems this year. Despite these challenges, Jabeur remains optimistic, stating, "I hope I can feel better."
This unfortunate turn of events has undoubtedly dealt a blow to Jabeur’s confidence and ambitions. As a highly accomplished African tennis player, her journey is closely followed by fans worldwide. As she navigates this difficult period, her determination and resilience will be crucial in overcoming the obstacles that lie ahead. With her sights set on recovery and improvement, Ons Jabeur’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the highs and lows that athletes face in their pursuit of excellence.
