Lung drama and longing for a baby: Jabeur reveals a story of suffering before Melbourne’s comeback

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Ons Jabeur is considered one of the most popular players on the tour, a cheerful and joker, the ‘Minister of Happiness’, as the fans call her. But in 2023, even she has partially lost her smile. And this despite the 29-year-old Tunisian winning two titles and reaching the Wimbledon final.

Jabeur provided insight into her eventful year in the documentary ‘This Is Me’, which chronicles her career as the most successful African and Arab tennis player. At the Australian Open twelve months ago she was eliminated in the second round against Marketa Vondrousova (24) (1:6, 7:5, 1:6). Jabeur initially reported having difficulty breathing, but her condition deteriorated so much after the match that she had to seek immediate medical attention. Examination revealed that the oxygen supply to her lungs was limited due to an enlarged nodule. According to “The National News” from the United Arab Emirates, Jabeur’s skin had already turned blue after the match. In the TV documentary, her trainer Issam Jelali revealed that he was very afraid of her: “I thought she was going to die.”

As a result, Jabeur had surgery on the affected area, while the rest of the tennis circus remained convinced that she would undergo knee surgery. She then made a strong comeback to win the tournament in Charleston, beating Belinda Bencic (26) in the final. And in September she should follow up the title in Ningbo (China).

“It scares me so much”

But in between, Wimbledon became the second big drama of the year for them. Not only did she miss her first Grand Slam victory in her third final attempt and with it the opportunity to write history as a pioneer for Africa. The ‘most serious defeat’ of her career was also a very intimate setback, Jabeur reveals – because she and her husband Karim Kamoun (37) had shaped their family planning to a certain extent: ‘The idea of ​​possibly having a child disappeared with that Wimbledon Trophy.

It is unknown whether they simply postponed starting a family or really gave up. However, Jabeur made it clear that she would have preferred to achieve her biggest career goal first before taking a break to have a baby.

At the Australian Open she now has the next chance to beat her final curse. The current number six in the world is again one of the favorites. She says: “It scares me so much to play another final, but I know I have to do it. Winning a Grand Slam tournament is perhaps my life’s work.”

Source : Blick