Former No. 2 and three-time Grand Slam runner-up Jabeur announces a temporary farewell to tennis.

On July 17 local time, three-time Grand Slam finalist and Tunisian star Jabeur announced her temporary departure from professional tennis on her personal social media. The former world No. 2 stated in her announcement that after struggling with injuries for the past two seasons, she has decided to prioritize her physical and mental health.

(Image source: Player's social media)

"For the past two years, I have been too tough on myself, battling injuries while facing numerous other challenges. But deep down, I haven't truly enjoyed my time on the court for a long time. Tennis is such a wonderful sport, but now I feel I need to step back temporarily and put my needs first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of life itself."

"Thank you to all the fans who understand me; your support and love mean the world to me, and I will carry it with me always. Even though I will be away from the court, I will still stay closely connected with everyone in different ways and share my experiences."

Jabeur profile picture (Image: Visual China)

Jabeur reached the Wimbledon and US Open finals back-to-back in 2022, finishing as the runner-up to Rybakina and Swiatek, respectively, and reached her career-high ranking of No. 2 in June that year, making history for Arab tennis. In 2023, Jabeur again reached the Wimbledon final but lost to Vondrousova; she won titles in Charleston and Ningbo that year, but has not recorded any further victories since then.

Jabeur's calf injury first appeared in 2023, and she announced an early end to her season last September due to a shoulder injury. Since her return at the beginning of this year, Jabeur has struggled to regain her peak form. Although she reached the quarterfinals in Berlin this year by defeating Paolini—her first victory over a TOP 5 player in nearly two years, showing signs of improvement—she had to retire in tears due to injury during the second set of her first-round match at Wimbledon against Tomova. After that match, she stated in an interview: "I am very frustrated; it has been a tough season, and this result is a blow to my confidence and perseverance. I hope to recover soon, and we will see what the future holds."

Jabeur is currently ranked No. 71 in the world. The 30-year-old Tunisian star is facing a critical turning point in her career, and it remains uncertain whether she can return to her peak form upon her return to the court. In addition to dealing with physical injuries, Jabeur also carries the psychological burden of having lost in three Grand Slam finals. She has previously stated that if she wins the Wimbledon title, she plans to start a family with her husband, which is also why her loss in the 2023 Wimbledon final was heartbreaking for her. We hope Jabeur can rediscover the joy of life in the future and return to the court with renewed determination.

(Text and editing by Wang Fei)