Ons Jabeur, tennis’s trailblazing “minister of happiness,” just hit pause — and the reason? She hasn’t felt the joy in her game for a long time. At 30, the former world No. 2 is pivoting toward balance, health, and clarity.
What’s Going On Today?
- Jabeur announced on X that she’s taking a step back from professional tennis. She says she hasn’t “truly felt happy on the court” despite pushing through injuries like asthma struggles and recurring shoulder or leg issues. She spoke up after a tearful first-round retirement at Wimbledon 2025 against Viktoriya Tomova. (Forbes)
- The news dropped amid other withdrawals from the Montreal event — including Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa — signaling a broader ripple of player fatigue in the sport. (Women’s Tennis Association)
Beyond the Headlines: Why It Matters
Jabeur’s significance isn’t just tennis — it’s culture. She’s the first Arab woman to reach three major finals (US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2022 and 2023), and her presence brought global representation to Grand Slam stages. Now ranked No. 71, she’s faced a fall from her WTA top form — no quarterfinals in any majors this year.
She’s candid: “Time to put myself first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of simply living.” That statement cuts deeper than any scoreline — it’s about reminding athletes (and all of us) that mental health matters, even at the highest level. (Eurosport)
The Long Road Behind Her
Since turning pro in 2010, Jabeur has collected five WTA titles including the big one in Madrid 2022. She peaked at world No. 2 that June. More than that, she rewrote sport’s image story — bold drop shots, wardrobe color, and charisma. She stood toe-to-toe with legends. (Women’s Tennis Association)
But this year? The grind got heavy. Persistent shoulder, leg, and asthma issues shuffled her schedule. No deep runs in majors. Withdrawals from Montreal. A ranking at 71. The emotional burnout was real.
Jay Tempo Take
This isn’t a retirement — it’s a reboot. Jabeur isn’t gone, she’s reloading. She’s choosing self over scoreboard. That’s bold. That’s legacy-level care.
Will she come back swinging? Likely. She’s already said she’ll stay connected with fans, so her presence isn’t disappearing — it’s evolving. We just don’t know the timeline.
Here’s the spirit of this moment: Joy is part of the game. And when it’s gone, stepping away isn’t weakness—it’s vision.
When she returns, expect that spark to return too. Because champions aren’t just made by titles — they’re shaped by the choices they make off the court.
— Jay Tempo
Naow Sports. Culture in motion.
