When Ons Jabeur sent those four simple words into the digital world, tennis fans everywhere felt their hearts sink. The former world No. 2 had just announced she was stepping away from the sport, leaving behind a message that revealed years of hidden pain beneath her trademark smile.
The announcement comes as the Tunisian player has been battling a perfect storm of challenges that have tested every fiber of her. Her journey from the pinnacle of tennis to this crossroads reflects the harsh realities faced by professional athletes in today’s demanding world.
What Did Ons Jabeur’s Heartfelt Tweet Reveal About Her Struggles?
Jabeur posted a simple yet powerful message on X (formerly Twitter) that sent shockwaves through the tennis community. The tweet contained just four words: “thank you for your support❤️” but it was the accompanying image that revealed the depth of her emotional struggle.
In the image, Jabeur shared a deeply personal statement that revealed her current state of mind. “For the past two years, I’ve been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges. But deep down, I haven’t truly felt happy on the court for some time now,” she wrote.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist continued with brutal honesty about her decision to step away from tennis. “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,” her message read.
Jabeur made sure to acknowledge her supporters, writing: “Thank you to all my fans for 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.”
Thank you for your support 🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/AiffrjDzU0
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) July 17, 2025
What Storm of Challenges Led Jabeur to This Decision?
The 30-year-old has endured a series of devastating setbacks that have taken both a physical and emotional toll. Her 2024 season ended in September due to a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from major tournaments, including the US Open. This injury caused her ranking to plummet from world No. 6 at the start of 2024 to No. 42 by the season’s end.
Her return to tennis in 2025 brought fresh challenges. At the Australian Open, Jabeur was visibly emotional as she struggled with breathing difficulties and asthma symptoms during her second-round match against Camila Osorio. Despite winning the match, she had to take a medical timeout while in tears, later explaining that her extended break from tennis had worsened her asthma condition.
Also read: Eugenie Bouchard Announces Tennis Retirement With a Message
The situation deteriorated further at Wimbledon 2025, where Jabeur was forced to retire from her first-round match at SW19 against Viktoriya Tomova due to breathing issues. The emotional scenes of the two-time Wimbledon finalist crying into her towel before withdrawing highlighted how much she struggled. Her ranking has since dropped to world No. 71.
Beyond physical injuries, Jabeur has been deeply affected by the ongoing war in Gaza. As a UN World Food Programme Global Goodwill ambassador, she has spoken extensively about how the humanitarian crisis has impacted her mental health. “It’s really affected me emotionally,” she admitted, revealing that Palestine is on her mind “24/7.” She has faced online abuse for her advocacy work, being called a “terrorist” multiple times for supporting Palestinian aid efforts.
Her decision to take a break represents a recognition that her mental and physical well-being must come first. Fans rallied in support of her in her tweet, writing: “All the best Ons, we will support you no matter what.❤️”
All the best Ons, you are a truly amazing person and an amazing player and a true inspiration to so many people from all over the world.
Wishing you all the best, we will support you no matter what. ❤️
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) July 17, 2025
Others supported her taking time off and wrote: “I’m glad you are able to take time off. Every player should take breaks, mini breaks or long ones.”
Another fan commented with an image of Jabeur from one of her Wimbledon finals and wrote: “Take your time, Ons. You will come back stronger than ever with the same smile we love to see 😍🇹🇳”
Take your time, Ons. You will come back stronger than ever with the same smile we love to see 😍🇹🇳 pic.twitter.com/v4rFhbrM5q
— ZIKO (@ZIKO_TALKS) July 17, 2025
A fan wrote “make sure your health and wellbeing are ok 🙏”
