Ons Jabeur calls out Olympic scheduling: “I don’t think the schedule of this year suits any professional tennis players”
WTA
Ons Jabeur
criticized the tennis schedule amid surface changes for the Olympic Games. The
three-time Grand Slam runner-up decided not to participate in Paris 2024 due to
knee problems, and the quick return to clay could potentially harm her.
The
Tunisian chose not to travel to Paris and is instead in the US to compete in
the WTA 250 DC Open on hard courts starting Monday. Jabeur commented that the
Tour schedule and the timing of the Olympics complicated her situation due to
the physical repercussions involved.
“I didn’t want to make the same kind of mistakes"
The
demanding WTA and ATP Tour seasons increasingly challenge players with injuries
throughout the year. Not only are tournaments played almost year-round, with
only a few weeks off in December used by several players to start preseason
training, but surface changes are also complicated.
In April,
the clay swing began and lasted nearly two months until the end of the French
Open. The following week, grass-court tournaments began, lasting just over a
month until the end of Wimbledon. With less than two weeks until the Olympics,
several players questioned whether returning to clay for just one tournament
would be good for their health, especially as hard-court tournaments return
during the North American swing.
More
players are suffering from injuries throughout the year, and Jabeur is one of
them. She chose to travel directly to the US and avoid adapting to clay again
in such a short time: “I didn’t play the Olympics because of the surface
changes. Since I have knee problems, it would be a very tough decision to
take.”
Ons Jabeur at the 2024 Australian Open.
“It would
probably make me not be able to play for the rest of the season. I’m managing
my knee so much – probably people don’t know what’s happening on the inside,”
the former world No. 2 added. “It was a very tough decision not to go to the
Olympics – but I’m very happy to be here. I haven’t played a lot of matches
this year. I basically skipped the beginning of the year.”
Jabeur is
not the only one mentioning physical prevention during these weeks, as players
like Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa, and Emma Raducanu also wanted to avoid
physical repercussions. “I didn’t want to make the same kind of mistakes and go
and not be 100%. If I didn’t feel like going there and winning the medal, why
go in the first place?” Jabeur added.
Read also
“With my
injury, I just need more time to get ready for the clay. In general, just
changing the surfaces, it’s tough to go from grass to clay. Since I already
changed from hard to clay, clay to grass, grass to hard, it would add one more
surface to me.”
Jabeur
criticized the tight time between the Olympics and the next WTA 1000 at the
Canadian Open, which starts on August 6 in Toronto, just two days after the
Olympics final on August 4. This does not consider the need to switch from clay
to hard court and travel from France to Canada in under two days.
“You can
see the timing between the Olympics and Toronto is really, really tight.
Honestly, I don’t think the schedule of this year in general suits any
professional tennis players,” Jabeur said. c. I know there are so many players that had different
injuries, and they chose not to risk it because of that.”
Similarly,
2021 US Open champion Raducanu commented that she is in a similar situation, as
recent injuries, including surgeries, could be complicated if she overexerts
her body with surface changes: “The change in surface isn’t the best thing for
me right now. In the future, maybe it would have been,” she said.
“At this
moment in time, I think switching to clay straight after grass, it’s such a big
contrast, then back onto the hard courts, I didn’t want to risk anything. For
me, this option was just a lot better,” Raducanu added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
