Grand Slam finalist confirms tennis comeback plans and reveals retirement timeline
Ons Jabeur has announced she plans to return to tennis in 2027 and has revealed when she wants to officially hang up her racket.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist said she was taking an indefinite break from tennis in July 2025 as she had not “felt happy on court for some time” and it was time to “take a step back”.
A year ago, Jabeur announced she was expecting her first child, with the 32-year-old then giving birth to her son, Elyan, in April. At the time, the former world No 2 hailed him as a “tiny miracle”.
Fast forward to the present and the Tunisian record-breaker has set her sights on returning to the WTA Tour at some point next year.
While the veteran has not set a specific date or targeted a certain tournament for her comeback, the five-time WTA Tour title winner is not done with the sport yet.
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She told The National, “I’m hoping to come back, hopefully next year. I still don’t know the exact time, but very soon.
“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.
“I’m enjoying every moment, you know; motherhood, it’s been amazing. 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.”
Jabeur turns 33 next August, so if she plans on playing for a few more years, the 5ft 6in player could play into her late 30s.
The two-time Wimbledon runner-up, who is the most successful tennis player of all time from Tunisia, will hope to join a distinguished list of stars who won a major after giving birth.
They include Kim Clijsters, Margaret Court, and Evonne Goolagong Cawley, while the likes of Serena Williams, Elina Svitolina, Belinda Bencic and Victoria Azarenka all won WTA Tour titles after becoming a mother.
After the two most successful seasons of her career in 2022 and 2023, Jabeur finished 2024 ranked 42nd in the world and in 2025, that fell to 79.
Whether Jabeur, who reached three major finals between the summer of 2022-23, can enjoy a successful second stage of her career remains to be seen.
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