LONDON — Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon runner-up, was forced to retire from her first-round match on Monday due to breathing difficulties, marking another setback in an injury-plagued season.
The 30-year-old Tunisian left the court while trailing 7-6 (5), 2-0 against Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova. Jabeur received medical attention during the first set and was visibly emotional, at one point sitting courtside with her head buried in a towel, weeping.
“I didn’t expect to feel this bad. I’ve been practicing pretty well the last few days,” Jabeur said. “But I guess these things happen. I’m pretty sad. It doesn’t help with my confidence and with everything I’m trying to achieve, especially in such a tough season. I hope I can feel better.”
Jabeur reached the Wimbledon final in both 2022 and 2023, losing to Elena Rybakina and Markéta Vondroušová respectively. She was also a finalist at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she was defeated by Iga Świątek.
Her 2024 season ended prematurely due to a shoulder injury, and she has continued to struggle with leg issues throughout this year.