Ons Jabeur to skip Paris 2024 Olympics, following Sabalenka's withdrawal

Ons Jabeur surprised fans by announcing she will not participate in the Olympic Games. The Tunisian is the second top player to withdraw from Paris 2024, following Aryna Sabalenka, both citing issues with surface changes.

Olympic tennis will be held on the clay courts of Stade Roland Garros starting July 26, just ten days after Wimbledon ends. The 3-time Grand Slam finalist cited the demanding tennis calendar and the double surface change as her main reasons, meaning Tunisia will not have participants in the draw.

Surface changes are always challenging for tennis players, especially after the French Open. The significant differences between clay and grass often cause injuries, and few players can maintain consistency across surface changes.

After two months filled with clay tournaments, including two WTA 1000 events and the French Open, players quickly transitioned to the three-week grass swing culminating in Wimbledon. However, those playing in the Olympics will have to re-adapt to clay for the event and then swiftly return to hard courts to continue the year’s schedule. Additionally, the Olympic event does not award points, which discourages participation from top players.

Former world No. 2 Jabeur shared on social media that she decided with her team not to travel to Paris for the Olympics. The 29-year-old player has struggled with a recurrent right knee injury, which already sidelined her from the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships earlier this year, as well as last year’s Middle East swing.

"After consulting with my medical team regarding attending the Olympics in Paris, we have decided that the quick change of surface and the body's adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardize the rest of my season," she wrote in a statement. "Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics."

"I have always loved representing my country in any competition. However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team's advice. Wishing my teammates the best in the Games, and I will be their biggest supporter," the world No. 10 added.