Ons Jabeur shocked the entire tennis world when she announced her break from professional tennis. The former world number two revealed in an emotional social media post that she hadn’t “truly felt happy on the court for some time now.”
The 30-year-old Tunisian has faced numerous challenges over the past two years, including injuries and breathing difficulties that have significantly impacted her performance. Her decision to step away from tennis came after a heartbreaking first-round retirement at Wimbledon 2025.
Karim Kamoun’s Supportive Instagram Message for Wife Ons Jabeur
Following Jabeur’s announcement, her husband and fitness coach Karim Kamoun took to Instagram to share his thoughts on his wife’s difficult decision. The former professional fencer, who has been by Jabeur’s side throughout her tennis journey, posted a heartfelt message of support that highlighted the wisdom behind her choice to prioritize her wellbeing.
In his Instagram post, Kamoun wrote: “True strength isn’t always found in pushing through. Sometimes, it’s in knowing when to pause, breathe, and heal. @onsjabeur decision to step back isn’t a setback it’s the foundation of a powerful comeback. Champions don’t just fight; they know when to recover. And when she returns, it won’t be as the same player… it’ll be as something stronger.”
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His message captured the essence of what many athletes struggle with: the balance between career and self-care. The 37-year-old, who has served as Jabeur’s fitness coach since 2017, emphasized that taking time to heal is not a sign of weakness but rather a strategic decision that true champions make.
Ons Jabeur’s Journey Through Recent Setbacks
Jabeur’s decision has been marked by a series of difficult challenges that have tested her physical and mental resilience. The Tunisian star has endured a storm of setbacks over the past two years.
Her 2024 season was particularly brutal, ending prematurely in September due to a persistent shoulder injury that forced her to miss key tournaments including the US Open. This injury caused her ranking to plummet from world number 6 at the start of 2024 to number 42 by the season’s end. The ranking slide continued into 2025, with Jabeur dropping to as low as 71st.
The physical challenges extended beyond shoulder problems. At the 2025 Australian Open, Jabeur experienced a frightening asthma attack during her second-round match against Camila Osorio. The scene was heart-wrenching as she was seen “coughing and clutching her chest before slumping into the chair” and breaking down in tears.
Despite winning the match 7-5, 6-3, Jabeur admitted it was “very, very tough to breathe” and revealed that her extended break from tennis had worsened her childhood asthma condition.
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The struggles culminated at Wimbledon 2025, where Jabeur’s tournament ended in devastating fashion. The two-time finalist at the All England Club was forced to retire during her first-round match against Viktoriya Tomova while trailing 6-7(5), 0-2. She was seen crying into her towel during a medical timeout before ultimately withdrawing due to breathing difficulties.
Beyond the physical challenges, Jabeur has also dealt with the emotional toll of her Grand Slam final losses. The player reached three major finals between 2022 and 2023 – losing at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023, and at the US Open in 2022.
