Ons Jabeur for the second year in a row won't play the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with the Tunisian ace who has been a hero in the gulf during these tournaments not able to play in the United Arab Emirates due to her knee injury that continues to blight her.
Jabeur opened up earlier this week that she was having thoughts about not playing Dubai with a heartbreaking quote that her heart wants to play and her body is not allowing so it is very much the latter winning in this case as well as consultation with her doctors and team. She is aiming to return for the US swing, but it is a second year in a row that she won't play due to injury.
"I wanted to share with you all that my knee is not holding. It's been unbearable to play with the pain and not being able to give my best on the court is frustrating. After consultation of my doctors and team, we have decided that I will have to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week and go for more medical treatments," she wrote. "Looking forward to reconnect(ing) with all on the courts for the US swing."
Her knee has been a consistent issue for sometime, she underwent surgery after the 2023 Australian Open, but with it being longstanding, it only stemmed a long-term problem.
“Regrettably Ons Jabeur has had to pull out of this year’s tournament,” said tournament organisers in a statement. “We know how much this event means to her, playing in front of a strong Arab support. We wish her all the best in her recovery from injury and look forward to seeing her back in Dubai very soon.”