Ons Jabeur offers first glimpse of tennis comeback as former Australian No. 1 shares practice session

Thursday, 05 November 2026 at 01:30

Jabeur reached her third Grand Slam final in Wimbledon 2023 but lost against Marketa Vondrousova

Ons Jabeur has offered an encouraging first glimpse of a possible tennis comeback, with the former World No. 2 spotted back on court in Dubai alongside former Australian No. 1 Arina Rodionova. The Tunisian has been away from professional competition since Wimbledon 2025, and although she has not announced a specific return date, the latest training session provides a tangible sign of progress after an extended absence.

The update came through Rodionova, who shared a photograph from their hitting session at Jabeur's own academy in Dubai. The 36-year-old Australian, who previously spent 13 weeks as her country's highest-ranked singles player, was clearly delighted to share the court with the three-time Grand Slam finalist.

"Absolute pleasure to hit some balls with this legend at her very own academy (how cool is that)," Rodionova wrote on social media.

For Jabeur, commonly known as the 'Minister of Happiness’, getting back on court represents another potential step towards resuming her career. She has experienced a particularly eventful period away from tennis, initially stepping back from competition to prioritise her wellbeing before announcing her pregnancy in November 2025.

Jabeur and her husband, Karim Kamoun, welcomed their first child, a son named Elyan Kammoun, on April 20, 2026. The Tunisian has previously indicated that she would like to return to professional tennis, although she intends to take the necessary time before making that decision. A comeback in 2027 remains a possibility, with the Australian Open among the tournaments that could provide an interesting target.

From three Grand Slam finals to an extended absence

Jabeur's last competitive appearance came at Wimbledon 2025, where she retired during her first-round match against Viktoriya Tomova after losing the opening set 7-6(5) and trailing 2-0 in the second. A few weeks later, she announced that she was stepping away from professional tennis after struggling with injuries and finding it increasingly difficult to enjoy competing.

The decision followed a challenging period for a player who had reached the peak of her career just three years earlier. Jabeur climbed to World No. 2 in June 2022 and subsequently became the first African and Arab woman to reach three Grand Slam singles finals. However, all three ended in defeat.

Grand Slam	Year	Opponent	Final score
Wimbledon	2022	Elena Rybakina	3-6, 6-2, 6-2
US Open	2022	Iga Swiatek	6-2, 7-6(5)
Wimbledon	2023	Marketa Vondrousova	6-4, 6-4

Her most recent Grand Slam final came at Wimbledon in 2023, when she lost to Vondrousova despite entering the match as the favourite. Since then, injuries and inconsistent results prevented her from returning to the same level, eventually leading to her decision to take an extended break.

Rodionova, meanwhile, has her own unusual place in tennis history. She reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 97 in February 2024, aged 34 years and 52 days, becoming the oldest player to make her debut inside the WTA Top 100. She also reached No. 41 in doubles and held the Australian No. 1 singles position for 13 weeks between December 2023 and April 2024.

Could the Australian Open provide a comeback opportunity?

One of the questions surrounding Jabeur's potential return concerns her ranking. The Tunisian is currently listed as inactive on the WTA website, without an active singles ranking position. That could complicate her direct entry into tournaments, particularly Grand Slams, but maternity-related ranking protection could offer an alternative route.

Under the WTA's 2026 regulations, players who qualify for a Special Ranking can use their protected position to enter tournaments after an extended absence. The eligibility criteria include having been ranked inside the Top 750 when the period away from competition began and submitting the required application within 26 weeks of that absence starting.

Jabeur was ranked No. 71 when she announced her break in July 2025, meaning she met the ranking requirement. If she submitted the necessary documentation within the deadline and received WTA approval, she could potentially benefit from a protected ranking when returning.

The regulations allow players absent for at least 52 weeks to use their Special Ranking for up to 12 tournaments, including a maximum of two Grand Slams.

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The 2027 Australian Open is therefore an interesting possibility. The main draw begins on January 17, almost nine months after Jabeur welcomed her son. However, there has been no confirmation that she intends to compete in Melbourne, and her physical preparation and readiness to return will ultimately determine the timing.

For now, the Dubai training session offers the clearest indication yet that Jabeur is getting back into tennis activity. The Minister of Happiness has not officially announced her comeback, but after more than a year away from competition, seeing her back hitting balls is an encouraging development for those hoping to see her return to the tour.

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.

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