Former finalist Ons Jabeur has pulled out of next week’s US Open due to an ongoing shoulder injury.
The world No.17 has only been able to play one match since her third round defeat at Wimbledon which was at the Canadian Open where she lost in straight sets to Naomi Osaka. It is the first time Jabeur has missed a major event since the 2022 Australian Open when she could not play due to a back problem.
“I am truly sad to announce that my shoulder won’t recover in time for the US Open. I feel I need to give 100 % and today it’s not possible yet,” Jabeur wrote in a statement posted on Instagram.
“Life has ups and downs, but sometimes in the very negative moments we all need to find the positive in it.”
It is not the first time this season the Tunisian has been sidelined from action due to injury. A flare-up of a long-term knee problem forced her to miss the Dubai Championships in February. Around the same time, she was also struggling on the Tour after losing five matches in a row. She managed to regain her momentum by reaching the quarter-finals of four events between April and June, including the French Open and a WTA 1000 event in Madrid.
“This year has been very tough for me, but I know somewhere the light is there,” she commented.
“I keep smiling like I always do because I am grateful for my life, my family, my sponsors and the fans that have always supported me. Always grateful for the unconditional support you all bring to me.”
Jabeur, who has the nickname ‘Minister of Happiness,’ also has a message for her critics.
“If you are here to question my choices and my team, please find a little kindness in your heart because you don’t know what I have been going through for all these years.” She concluded.
Replacing Jabeur in the draw will be Elise Mertens.
Rybakina’s unexpected announcement
Embed from Getty ImagesAs Jabeur continues her rehab, Elena Rybakina will be playing at the US Open without her usual team after confirming the departure of her coach on Thursday. The former Wimbledon champion had been working with Stefano Vukov for half a decade and won all eight of her WTA titles under his guidance, including the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.
“After five years Stefano and I are no longer working together. I thank him for his work on court and wish him all the best for the future.” The world No.4 said on social media.
There is yet to be any comment from Rybakina about why the two have decided to part ways and why they have chosen to make this decision so close to a Grand Slam event. There are also yet to be any details about Vukov’s potential replacement.
Heading into New York, Rybakina has had far from perfect preparation. She was forced to pull out of the Olympic Games after falling ill with acute bronchitis. Since then, she has only played one match on the WTA Tour which was against Leylah Fernandez in Toronto which she lost in three sets.
Rybakina is seeded fourth in this year’s US Open draw and will play Destanee Aiava in her opening match.
