Ons Jabeur has confirmed she plans to return to the tennis tour in 2027, two years after playing her last match. The former world No. 2, who stepped away from the sport in July 2025, has since given birth to her first child, a boy named Elyan.
Heartbreak at Wimbledon and a new chapter
Jabeur, 32, suffered heartbreak at Wimbledon, finishing as runner-up in both 2022 and 2023. In her documentary, This Is Me, she later revealed that had she won Wimbledon in 2023, she would have taken time off as she and her husband wanted to try for a baby.
In July 2025, the Tunisian star announced an indefinite break, writing in a statement: "I feel it's time to take a step back and finally put myself first." She has now confirmed she "definitely" plans to return to competition and wants to play for a few years before retiring.
Training with her son
"I'm hoping to come back, hopefully next year. I still don't know the exact time, but very soon," Jabeur told The National. "I'm still discovering... My body is a bit changed after the delivery, but I'm definitely coming back and hoping to stay a few more years on tour before actually retiring."
Jabeur has already begun training ahead of her planned comeback and brings Elyan with her. "I'm enjoying every moment, you know, motherhood it's been amazing," she said. "Definitely will want more sleep, but it's part of the process. I'm enjoying everything with my son... He actually comes with me when I train. I'm trying to come back slowly."
Staying involved during her break
During her hiatus and pregnancy, Jabeur opened a tennis academy in Dubai last year and was present at the 2025 WTA Finals as a tournament ambassador. "It's our nature maybe as a woman – we never stop," she said.
Jabeur announced her indefinite break after retiring mid-match in her first-round clash against Viktoria Tomova at Wimbledon in 2025. "For the past two years, I've been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges," she wrote on social media. "But deep down, I haven't truly felt happy on the court for some time now. 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."
Later in 2025, Jabeur admitted she had lost her joy on the tennis court and said it "became the place that gave me depression." Several players, including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina, and Belinda Bencic, have enjoyed successful returns from pregnancy. Svitolina is currently competing at the WTA Finals, her first appearance since giving birth to her daughter in 2022. Jabeur is now preparing to step back on the court with a renewed perspective.
