Ons Jabeur says she has a duty to be upfront about her struggles to help the next generation of professional players on the Tour.
The two-time Wimbledon finalist ended a five-match losing streak on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix where she defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) in her opening match. The victory was the first Jabeur has recorded since February 7th when she beat Emma Raducanu at the Abu Dhabi Open. Overall, she has won three out of nine matches played so far in 2024.
Jabeur’s lacklustre results coincided with a flare-up of a knee issue that has been troubling her for more than five years. It is an injury that comes and goes but the Tunisian says playing on the clay helps her.
“It’s been a couple of tough months. I didn’t expect that an injury could affect my mental so badly.” The world No.9 told reporters in Stuttgart.
“The knee was affecting me so badly, and I didn’t realize. I kept going and trying to play matches even though I knew I wasn’t ready, and that didn’t help with the level of losing basically against anyone on Tour.”
The 29-year-old is not afraid to speak about her struggles in the sport. She believes being honest about such problems helps both her and those watching her play.
“I feel like it’s my duty, and to be honest, for the next generation when they watch you, not to think that everything is perfect on the court. There are some tough moments, some up-and-downs, but the most important thing is that you give it all on the court.” She said.
Jabeur will be hoping to get back on track during the European clay swing. Last year she experienced mixed fortunes on the surface. She won the Charleston Open, reached the semi-finals in Stuttgart and the quarter-finals of the French Open. However, at two other events during this period, she lost her opening match.
“Playing on clay really helps my knee a lot. I’m getting the movement much better.” Jabeur explained.
“I think it just a matter of matches and definitely more training and keep being patient because I feel like that’s the key for me right now.”
Jabeur, who is seeded seventh in Stuttgart, will next play Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
