"These injuries don't help": Ons Jabeur breaking out in tears was due to ongoing knee struggles as Abu Dhabi Open run ends
WTASunday, 11 February 2024 at 00:30
3-times
Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur (No.6) suffered a defeat at the 2024 Abu Dhabi
Open against Beatriz Haddad Maia (No. 14) and broke down in tears during the
second set. The Tunisian player is not having a promising start to the year,
especially considering her second-round exit at the Australian Open against the
formidable Mirra Andreeva (6-0, 6-2).
Following
her loss to Haddad Maia, the world No. 6 disclosed that she experienced severe
knee pain, hindering her from performing at full physical capacity. This proved
costly against a player of Haddad Maia's caliber. "I wasn't feeling 100
percent; unfortunately, my knee still bothers me a bit. Today wasn't to be my
day," Jabeur expressed after the match.
Knee struggles overshadow Jabeur's match
Jabeur had
a strong debut in the Middle East, defeating the 2021 US Open champion Emma
Raducanu (6-4, 6-1). However, against 'Bia' Haddad Maia, knee issues surfaced,
impacting her performance:
"I was
trying to fight and get through this match, but when you play against someone
who plays amazing like Beatriz, it's tough to compete. I tried my best and
tried to stay focused and play my game, but unfortunately, I couldn't,"
Jabeur explained.
Expressing
disappointment, Jabeur said, "I'm a bit sad because I was starting to feel
my game and feel good, and these injuries don't help. The priority now is to
find the solution to try and keep up, and hopefully, I can do it."
"We go
way back with the knee; some tournaments it's good, some tournaments it's bad.
I've been feeling it for the past week, but today was the worst day. Usually
during practice, I try to manage, but during matches, it's a bit tougher,"
she added.
Jabeur's
next challenge awaits at the WTA 1000 Qatar Open, where she is the fourth seed,
earning a bye in the first round. Her second-round opponent will be the winner
of the match between Lesia Tsurenko (No. 37) and the 21-year-old Zeynep Sonmez
(No. 184), who received a wild card from the organizers.
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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- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
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