Tennis

Ons Jabeur, the trailblazing Tunisian tennis star, has raised concerns over the unexplained cancellation of several pro tournaments in Monastir, Tunisia, scheduled for December. In an open letter to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and its president, David Haggerty, Jabeur expressed shock and disappointment at the absence of these events from the calendar.The letter, signed by over 60 players, highlights the importance of these tournaments for players' rankings, development, and the promotion of tennis in the region. Monastir's pleasant climate and quality infrastructure make it an ideal location for tournaments, which could attract players from diverse backgrounds and boost the local economy.Jabeur emphasized the need for additional competitive opportunities for players, especially during the off-season. These events would provide a platform for rising juniors and Challenger veterans to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience.The ITF has yet to respond to Jabeur's letter, and no official statement has been issued regarding the cancellations. The Tunisian Tennis Federation has also remained silent on the matter.Ahmad Nassar, executive of the Professional Tennis Players Association, expressed support for Jabeur and the players, criticizing the "unexplained and inexplicable whims" of tennis authorities. He emphasized the importance of player representation and advocacy for fair opportunities.In 2023, Monastir hosted numerous ITF tournaments, including M15, W25, and W15-level events. However, the 2023-2024 national calendar only lists events through September, and the provisional 2024-2025 calendar does not include any December events in Monastir.Jabeur's concerns highlight the need for transparency and accountability in tennis governance. Players deserve clear explanations for tournament cancellations and a voice in decisions that affect their careers. The ITF must address these concerns and ensure that the interests of all players are considered.

Aryna Sabalenka's Unintentional Soccer Shot Hits Photographer at WTA Finals EventWorld No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka's attempt at a penalty kick during a visit with youth soccer players in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, took an unexpected turn when her shot veered off target and struck a WTA Finals photographer in the head.The incident occurred as Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, who is in Riyadh to support the event, were interacting with the young girls. Sabalenka's attempt to showcase her soccer skills went awry when her shot missed the goal and hit the photographer, who was kneeling to capture the moment.Sabalenka immediately rushed over to apologize to the photographer, who was not injured and took the incident in good humor. Jabeur also checked on the photographer's well-being, joking that she "didn't have insurance."The photographer later posted a video of the incident on social media, with a humorous caption acknowledging Sabalenka's "serious damages" in Riyadh.Despite the mishap, Sabalenka and Jabeur continued their visit with the youth soccer players, engaging in conversations and posing for photos. The two players were also presented with personalized Saudi soccer jerseys with their names and the number '34' on the back, representing the bid year for the 2034 World Cup.Jabeur, who has been a vocal advocate for the WTA Finals to be held in Saudi Arabia, expressed her belief that the country is making progress in terms of women's rights and that it is time for the WTA to support the event in the Gulf country.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, has announced the premature end of her 2024 season due to a persistent shoulder injury. The three-time Grand Slam finalist made the difficult decision after consulting with her medical team.Jabeur's injury woes have plagued her in recent seasons. In addition to her current shoulder issue, a recurring right knee problem forced her to miss the WTA 1000 event in Dubai earlier this year. She also retired from her quarterfinal match against Coco Gauff at the grass-court event in Berlin in June.Despite her struggles, Jabeur reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and in Madrid this year. However, her ranking has dropped out of the WTA's Top 10, where she had been consistently ranked since October 2021.While sidelined, Jabeur plans to dedicate herself to charity work, aiming to make a positive impact on the world. She has expressed her determination to return to the court stronger in 2025, starting with the Australian Open.Jabeur's absence from the tour will be a significant loss for the sport. Her aggressive style of play and infectious personality have made her a fan favorite. Her return to full fitness will be eagerly anticipated by tennis enthusiasts worldwide.

US Open 2023: Kyrgios, Osaka, and Jabeur Kick Off the Final Grand SlamThe US Open Fan Week has concluded, marking the official commencement of the year's final Grand Slam tournament. New York City has once again transformed into a tennis hub, with the Park Lane Hotel serving as the gathering place for tennis stars Nick Kyrgios, Naomi Osaka, and Ons Jabeur.Kyrgios, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, expressed his support for the Serbian legend. "I hope Novak wins it because it makes me look better since I lost my final to Novak," he said. "The more he wins, the better I look in the future."Kyrgios also commented on Carlos Alcaraz, the four-time Grand Slam winner who suffered a minor slip in practice. "There's so many things that need to happen to win a Grand Slam," Kyrgios said. "I've never won a singles one, made a final, but the stars need to align so they need a lot of luck."Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, is determined to add another trophy to her collection. "It will take a lot to win the US Open, I'm trying to take it match by match," she said. "I think my first match [against Jelena Ostapenko] is going to be very difficult but I'm being really confident in myself."First-round matches are already underway, with Osaka and Ostapenko scheduled to face off on Tuesday at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The tournament promises to be filled with thrilling matches and captivating storylines as the world's top tennis players compete for the coveted US Open title.

Ons Jabeur's Wimbledon woes continued on Saturday as she suffered a heartbreaking 6-1, 7-6(4) defeat to Elina Svitolina in the third round. The Tunisian, who reached the final in 2021 and 2022, was left to rue missed opportunities as she crashed out of the tournament in her earliest exit since 2018.Jabeur started brightly, earning a break point in Svitolina's opening service game. However, the Ukrainian held firm and broke Jabeur in the next game to take an early lead. Svitolina continued to dominate, winning the first set in just 25 minutes.The second set was a more competitive affair, with Jabeur fighting back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2. The Tunisian had a chance to take the set at 6-5 up on Svitolina's serve, but her forehand down the line fell just wide. Svitolina seized the opportunity and broke Jabeur to force a tiebreak.In the tiebreak, Svitolina raced into a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Jabeur saved two match points, but a backhand error on the third gave Svitolina the victory.The defeat was a bitter blow for Jabeur, who had been hoping to make history by becoming the first Arab woman to win a Grand Slam title. However, she will have to wait at least another year to fulfill her dream.Svitolina, meanwhile, will face China's Wang Xinyu in the fourth round. The Ukrainian is in good form and will be confident of making a deep run in the tournament.

Ons Jabeur Withdraws from 2024 Paris Olympics Due to Knee ConcernsTunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, citing concerns over her knee health. The former world No. 2 made the announcement on social media, expressing her disappointment but acknowledging the need to prioritize her physical well-being."After consulting with my medical team regarding attending the Olympics in Paris, we have decided that the quick change of surface and the body's adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardize the rest of my season," Jabeur wrote in a statement.Jabeur's decision comes as a blow to Tunisia's hopes for a medal in Paris. The three-time Grand Slam finalist would have been one of the country's top contenders, having reached the quarterfinals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Jabeur's withdrawal follows a similar decision by fellow former world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who also cited scheduling concerns for her absence from the Olympics."I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I'm ready for the hard courts," Sabalenka said. "I'll have a good preparation before going to the hard-court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body."Jabeur's absence from the Olympics is a significant loss for the tournament, as she is one of the most exciting and talented players on the WTA Tour. Her aggressive style of play and powerful groundstrokes have made her a fan favorite around the world.Despite her disappointment, Jabeur remains optimistic about her future and is determined to return to the court stronger than ever."I have always loved representing my country in any competition," she said. "However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team's advice. Wishing my teammates the best in the Games, and I will be their biggest supporter."

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, has emerged as a beacon of joy and camaraderie at the ongoing Roland Garros tournament. Her infectious enthusiasm and playful antics have brought smiles to the faces of fellow players and fans alike.On Monday, as Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka secured their spots in the quarterfinals, Jabeur played a behind-the-scenes role in their celebrations. After Sabalenka's victory, she joined the Belarusian in a spontaneous dance break, much to the delight of the crowd.Jabeur's playful spirit extended to Djokovic as well. Before his third-round match, she greeted him with a hug and dubbed him the "minister of playing late," a reference to his marathon match the previous night. Djokovic couldn't help but chuckle at her wit.Jabeur's social media presence also reflects her positive attitude. After Djokovic's hard-fought victory, she took to Twitter to praise his resilience, writing, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion."On Tuesday, Jabeur will take center stage when she faces Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals. Her infectious energy and playful nature are sure to create a memorable atmosphere on Court Philippe-Chatrier.Jabeur's presence at Roland Garros has not only been a source of entertainment but also a reminder of the importance of joy and camaraderie in sports. Her ability to spread happiness and connect with others is a testament to her character and the spirit of the game.

Ons Jabeur and Coco Gauff are set to face off in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros on Tuesday, June 4, in a highly anticipated clash. The last time these two met, Gauff dominated Jabeur with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at the 2023 WTA Finals. However, Jabeur has since regained her form and is now a serious contender for the title.Jabeur's recent resurgence has seen her win eight of her last 11 matches, including an impressive straight-set victory over Clara Tauson in the previous round. She is now ranked No. 9 in the world and is playing with the confidence of a Grand Slam champion.Gauff, on the other hand, has not dropped a single set at Roland Garros so far. However, she has not faced any significant competition, with her wins coming against players ranked outside the top 50.The key to this match will be Jabeur's ability to exploit Gauff's weaknesses. Gauff has struggled with her serve and forehand in recent matches, and Jabeur will look to take advantage of these areas.Jabeur's slice shots and drop shots will also be a major threat to Gauff, who is one of the best movers on tour. However, if Jabeur can strike the ball cleanly and keep Gauff off balance, she will have a good chance of winning.Overall, this is a very close matchup, but Jabeur's recent form and experience at the Grand Slam level give her a slight edge. She is a dangerous opponent for anyone, and Gauff will need to be at her best to beat her.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, is back at Roland Garros with a renewed determination to conquer the clay courts. Despite a challenging start to the season, Jabeur has regained her form and is now a contender for the title.Last year, Jabeur reached the Wimbledon final but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Marketa Vondrousova. The defeat left a deep scar, and Jabeur initially resisted watching the replay. However, she eventually agreed, believing it would be beneficial for her documentary.The experience of reliving that loss has helped Jabeur move forward. She feels more prepared for the challenge this year, both physically and mentally. Jabeur has dropped just one set through four rounds at Roland Garros and is confident in her abilities."I'm here. I know what to do exactly," Jabeur said. "I think that in terms of maturity, I'm more mature than I was last year."Jabeur's mental strength has been tested in the past, particularly in the Wimbledon finals. However, she remains resilient and determined to overcome her setbacks."I'm rebuilding, definitely, but also not everything that I've learned, or I have in me, is completely gone. It's still there," Jabeur said.Jabeur is banking on her experience to guide her through the tournament. She believes that her past successes and failures have made her a stronger player."My experiences are helping me be the player that I am today, the player that can pull off some matches like this," Jabeur said.A win at Roland Garros would be a major breakthrough for Jabeur and would alleviate the pressure she faces at Wimbledon. It would also be a testament to her resilience and determination.