Ons Jabeur draws potential parallels between Ashleigh Barty and Caroline Wozniacki, as she expresses her hope that Barty will return after becoming a mother.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist Jabeur has made a strong start at this year's tournament. In her first-round match, she defeated Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-3. This comes after the Tunisian defeated the Polish player earlier in the WTA Tour at the Indian Wells.

The world no. 6 not only played some of her signature slice and drop shots, but also played eighteen aces with a highly impressive serve.

Read also

"I try to take it off": Jabeur makes light of Rybakina's photo being in Wimbledon locker room after final loss in 2022

Hoping for Barty's return

In the press conference after the match, Jabeur was asked whether or not Barty's absence from the tennis circuit was noticeable. The Australian former world No. 1, who claimed victory at Wimbledon in 2021, retired in 2022 at just 25 years old. Speaking in an interview at the time, Barty said,

"I don't have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level any more. I am spent."

On July 3, 2023, Barty gave birth to her son, suggesting to some fans that she has indeed moved on from the sport she used to dominate to another chapter in her life.

Read also

Former World No.1 Ashleigh Barty becomes a mother, gives birth to baby boy Hayden

Jabeur expressed her joy at Barty becoming a mother, saying "I'm very happy for her because this is something that I want to have, a family."

She also pointed out that right now, the three-time Grand Slam champion must be enjoying being a mother more than playing at Wimbledon, but expressed her hope that Barty will make a comeback to the sport in a few years,

"I'm sure she's enjoying being a mom right now than being on a tennis court waiting to play at Wimbledon. I hope that she will change her mind like Wozniacki and comes back maybe in one or two years"

Wozniacki's retirement and return

Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki gave birth to her first child in 2021, before playing a special farewell match in Copenhagen in April 2022. This came after her official retirment in 2020 after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis the previous year. However, earlier this week, she announced her comeback.

Ons Jabeur

@Ons_Jabeur

·Follow

Hello #Wimbledon and thank you for the support ❤️ Into second round 🔥 #YallaHabibi #TeamOJ

4.3K

Reply

Copy link

Read 127 replies