Ons Jabeur is one of tennis’ most adored characters.
Always pictured with a smile on her face, her unbridled positivity does so well to hide the inner turmoil that must be swirling around inside her.
After all, whilst she is one of the sport’s most entertaining figures, she has also endured a career laden with near-misses.
And now, she has sought to detail why she so nearly took a break from tennis just last year.
What Ons Jabeur said about taking a break from tennis
It is widely regarded that her defeat in the 2023 Wimbledon final cut so much deeper because of her rumoured intentions to have a child in the near future. Coming so close to achieving the ultimate goal, and in turn allowing a new chapter of her life to open up, must have been devastating.
Now, speaking on the Tennis Insider podcast, the Tunisian superstar sought to dispel the rumour whilst revealing that she did in fact want to take a break from the sport, it just was not so closely intertwined with her desire to start a family.
She noted: ‘Yeah well you know I love kids so much and I am a family person, I always want to have kids of my own and having Karim by my side was so like I said a great person and I’m sure he will be a great father.
‘It wasn’t actually linked you know, winning a Grand Slam and having a baby, but I’m 29 years old. My goal is to have a baby and come back so it’s the right thing to do. And I feel like I’m honestly playing great tennis so if I stopped I’m not sure how I’m going to come back.
’It’s now or never to win that slam so I thought maybe going to the final and if I win it I can rest a bit, even my body is a little bit exhausted from playing a lot of tournaments, from having like three years of tournaments. That doesn’t help too.
‘I thought a nice break, to have a beautiful family would be amazing. Losing that final did hurt me the most, because I feel like a dream with the title. Everything happens for a reason and I’ve got to say it made me stronger as well.’
The tennis world wants to see Ons Jabeur win a Grand Slam
Whether it is tied to her intentions to start a family or not, the bulk of the tennis world has been rooting for Jabeur for some time now. That is what makes her recent run of form so tough to watch.
As one of the sport’s most enthralling and affable characters, she has drawn widespread praise for her unpredictable style which always captures the imagination.
However, in those big moments, she falters. And at 29 years old, who knows how much longer she has left at the apex of the sport?
Before she begins her inevitable decline, whenever that may be, it is hoped that she can claim that elusive major title and give herself the respite she so richly deserves.
Having now reached three Grand Slam finals, the pressure must be excruciating. Perhaps Wimbledon later this year marks her best chance of finally breaking the duck.
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