"This is where the journey takes off": Ons Jabeur launches ambitious Dubai project during pregnancy

Ons Jabeur officially launches her tennis academy in Dubai amidst a career pause due to her pregnancy. The former World No. 2 surprised fans this Friday by announcing the launch of her new project, in partnership with the investment fund Capital H from the United Arab Emirates.

The 3-time Grand Slam runner-up continues with her off-court projects despite the break she has taken from her career since the middle of the year. Following a start to 2025 marked by irregular results and injuries, Jabeur stopped playing at the end of June, when she had to retire from her first-round match at Wimbledon due to injury.

A couple of months later, Jabeur announced a break from tennis: “For the past two years, I've been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges. But deep down, I haven't truly felt happy on the court for some time now," she said in a statement. "Tennis is such a beautiful sport. But right now, I feel it's time to take a step back and finally put myself first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of simply living."

Since then, Jabeur has not been seen on the courts again, although she did appear at the past WTA Finals as an ambassador for the tournament. The Tunisian served as one of the ambassadors for the year-end tournament in Riyadh for the second consecutive year, taking on a role of promoting sports and tennis among Arab women.

Just three weeks ago, the 2-time Wimbledon finalist announced, along with her husband Karim Kamoun—her physiotherapist—that she was several months pregnant and is expecting the birth of their first child in April 2026. “The court will have to wait a little longer… because soon we’ll be welcoming our tiniest teammate”, Jabeur posted on social media. "Baby boy joining the team in April.”

Despite the pregnancy, Jabeur has not been prevented from making occasional public appearances, especially in her role as a promoter of sports in Arab countries. The former World No. 2 also serves as an ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme and as a global ambassador for Qatar Airways and Kayanee—a Saudi fitness brand focused on empowering women.

Her latest project is none other than the launch of her Tennis Academy in Dubai, as announced on her social media. “A new chapter begins. The OJ Tennis Academy officially opens in Dubai, a home designed for growth, ambition, and world-class training. From rising athletes to recreational players, this is where the journey takes off.”

“A strategic partnership anchored in shared ambition. Capital H and Ons Jabeur unite to support the growth of tennis and create broader pathways for athletes across the UAE.”

Jabeur has been off the courts for almost six months and has dropped to World No. 76 in the year-end ranking. In any case, a long time will have to pass before her return to the courts, and it would not be surprising if she was not seen back on the Tour during 2026. However, the Tunisian already anticipated that she is not considering retirement in an interview with The National a month ago.

"The happy place, where I find my joy, suddenly turned into my sadness and basically into the place that caused me depression. And I was somewhat scared, thinking, 'What if I never find joy on the tennis court again?' But I don't think it will be like that,” she commented in the interview. “I am not retiring as most people think; I will return someday. I just want to enjoy it, and when my mind and body tell me you are ready, you want to come back, then I will return."