Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur is currently competing in her first-round match at the 2025 Australian Open against Anhelina Kalinina. As she seeks to regain her form after a challenging period both on and off the court, Jabeur has taken the opportunity to address a pressing global issue unrelated to sports. The former WTA world number two has expressed her deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid the conflict with Israel, highlighting the emotional toll it has taken on her.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Jabeur conveyed her heartbreak over the suffering in Gaza, stating, “What is happening in the world has affected me more than I expected.” She revealed that she has distanced herself from media coverage of the conflict due to the distressing images of violence and loss of life. As an ambassador for the World Food Programme, Jabeur emphasized her desire to help, yet she feels limited in her ability to make a significant impact. “It is heartbreaking to see innocent people dying all the time… What is the point of playing tennis if innocent people are dying?” she pondered, reflecting on the moral dilemmas athletes face amid global tragedies.
Jabeur’s recent struggles on the tennis circuit have seen her drop to 40th in the world rankings, a stark contrast to her previous successes as a three-time Grand Slam finalist. She acknowledged the need to reconnect with her passion for the sport, stating, “Recently I’ve been trying to remind myself why I started playing tennis. I should be happy on the court and I haven’t been for a long time.” Despite the challenges, Jabeur remains optimistic about her future, expressing confidence that she can return to her peak performance, perhaps by the latter half of the year. As she navigates her personal and professional journey, Jabeur’s resilience and commitment to both tennis and humanitarian causes continue to shine through.
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