Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur has announced that she will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a persistent shoulder injury. The three-time Grand Slam finalist shared the news via social media on Monday, revealing the difficult decision made in consultation with her medical team.
Ons Jabeur, currently ranked No. 22 in the world, has had a tumultuous year marked by injuries that have significantly impacted her performance and competitive schedule. Beginning the season ranked No. 6, Ons Jabeur faced a series of setbacks that led to her withdrawal from several major tournaments, including the US Open and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her recent struggles were compounded by a first-round loss to Naomi Osaka at the Canadian Open last month. Following that defeat, she withdrew from the Cincinnati Open, the Washington Open, and the US Open.
In her announcement, Ons Jabeur acknowledged the difficulty of her decision, stating, “This year has been extremely hard for me, and as athletes, we know that recovery is part of the journey. Due to my ongoing shoulder injury, my medical team and I have made the difficult decision to step off the tennis circuit for the rest of the season.”
Ons Jabeur’s physical challenges extended beyond her shoulder injury. Earlier in the year, she was troubled by a recurring right knee issue that had previously necessitated surgery. This knee problem forced her to pull out of significant tournaments, including the WTA 1000 event in Dubai and led to her retirement mid-match during her quarterfinal clash against Coco Gauff at the Berlin Open. Additionally, illness further complicated her year, leading to withdrawals from Wimbledon and, most recently, the Paris Olympics.
Despite her efforts to manage her injuries while competing, Ons Jabeur’s condition worsened after her appearance at the Canadian Open. Consequently, she decided to prioritize her recovery, focusing on healing rather than continuing to compete.
In her statement, Ons Jabeur expressed her commitment to charity work during her hiatus, stating, “While I’m taking time to heal, I’ll be dedicating myself to charity work and ensuring that we make a real difference in the world. Thank you for all your support, and I can’t wait to come back stronger! I will see you back on the court in Australia 2025.”
Ons Jabeur’s absence will be felt deeply on the WTA Tour. Known for her inventive playing style and engaging personality, her departure from the circuit this year is a significant loss. Despite the setbacks, Ons Jabeur remains hopeful and determined to return stronger in the upcoming season.
