Tunisia's Jabeur announces break from tennis to ‘rediscover the joy of living'
Tunisia's Jabeur, the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam final, has struggled with her form in recent months, failing to get past the third round of a major this year.
The two-time Wimbledon finalist's campaign came to a disappointing end at the All England Club last month as she retired from her first-round clash against Viktoriya Tomova, unable to continue after a long medical timeout.
The former world number two suffers from asthma and experienced breathing difficulties at this year's Australian Open.
Jabeur, often called the 'minister of happiness' for her cheerful personality, said she was not feeling truly happy on the court.
'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.'
Jabeur, married to former fencer Karim Kamoun, has also been open about her wish to start a family.
'Thank you to all my fans for understanding. Your support and love mean the world to me. I carry it with me always,' she added.
Sabalenka, Badosa pull out of Montreal event: World number one Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the WTA Canadian Open tournament in Montreal due to fatigue, Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old from Belarus, runner-up at the Australian and French Opens, comes off semi-final runs at Wimbledon and Berlin and titles at Madrid and Miami.
'I'm looking forward to kicking off the North American hard-court swing, but to give myself the best chance for success this season, I've decided it's in my best interest to skip Montreal,' Sabalenka said.
Missing the July 27-Aug. 7 event leaves the reigning US Open champion only one major tuneup, at Cincinnati in August, before she tries to defend her crown on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.
'I'll miss my amazing Canadian fans, but I'm already looking forward to seeing you all next year,' Sabalenka said. 'Thanks for your understanding and support — it means the world to me.'
Sabalenka was upset in the Wimbledon semi-finals by American Amanda Anisimova.
'We're obviously disappointed that Aryna won't be with us this year,' tournament director Valerie Tetreault said.
World number 10 Paula Badosa of Spain withdrew from the event due to injury. The two departures opened spots in the main draw for American Caty McNally and Japan's Moyuka Uchijima. Canada's Eugenie Bouchard announced on Wednesday that she will retire from professional tennis after the WTA event in Montreal, her hometown.
Agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Al Etihad
For first time in Middle East, Abu Dhabi to host 2025 IFMA Youth World Muay Thai Championship
19 July 2025 16:22 ABU DHABI (WAM)For the first time in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi will host the 2025 IFMA Youth World Muay Thai Championship from the September 10-20, 2025, at Space 42 Arena in Al Raha Beach, a landmark step that further solidifies the UAE's global standing in hosting world-class sporting official announcement was made during a joint press event by the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) and the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, following the signing of the official hosting agreement at Space 42 agreement was signed by Stephen Fox, Secretary-General of IFMA, and Tariq Mohammed Al Mehairi, Board Member of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation and Secretary-General of the Arab Muay Thai Saeed Al Neyadi, President of the Asian and Arab Muay Thai Federations and President of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, stated:'Abu Dhabi's hosting of the Youth World Muay Thai Championship reflects the prestigious standing the UAE has attained globally in organising major international sports events, thanks to the visionary leadership and boundless support of the wise leadership.'He affirmed that this global event is a continuation of the UAE's achievements across all fields, including sports, which enjoys generous support and exceptional care from the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. Their roles have advanced the UAE's sporting journey to unprecedented international added: 'We continue to work under a clear strategy to establish Abu Dhabi as a global capital for combat sports and enhance the UAE's presence on the international sports map by hosting championships that meet the highest organizational and technical standards.'He concluded: 'We are committed to delivering an exceptional edition of the Youth World Muay Thai Championship that honors the UAE's name and meets the aspirations of our wise leadership and the youth of the nation. Through this event, we also aim to expand the reach of Muay Thai across the Arab world, Asia, and globally from the UAE.'Stephen Fox, Secretary-General of IFMA, said:'I am honoured to be here in Abu Dhabi at Space 42 Arena, an exceptional sports venue, to finalize the agreement for the largest Youth World Muay Thai Championship in history. We have full confidence in the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation to deliver an outstanding tournament. Abu Dhabi has continually set new benchmarks in hosting major events, and this will be no exception.''This championship is expected to attract over 100 national teams and 1,500 young athletes from various age groups. The trust placed in Abu Dhabi by the global Muay Thai community is a testament to the UAE's credibility, hospitality, and top-tier facilities. Families worldwide are confident in sending their children to this edition of the championship.''I extend heartfelt thanks to His Excellency Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi for this historic opportunity to inspire the next generation of Muay Thai athletes. Hosting the event at Space 42 Arena, one of the finest venues globally, ensures the championship will meet the highest international standards.''We know that the event is strongly supported by the global Muay Thai community as well as UAE government institutions. We are proud of the successful and fruitful partnership with the UAE Federation, which has organized multiple world-class, continental, and regional events to the highest standard.' Tariq Mohammed Al Mehairi added:'The UAE Federation has completed the hosting agreement with IFMA as part of its ongoing development strategies under the leadership of His Excellency Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi. We highly value the IFMA family's vote of confidence and the international trust placed in the UAE, which reflects the country's esteemed reputation and the Federation's proven organizational record in hosting acclaimed Asian and world championships. 'The championship will be held at Space 42 Arena, a premier sports facility, and will welcome 1,500 athletes across all age groups. It is being organized in cooperation with IFMA to expand the sport's footprint in the Arab world. 'We also thank Stephen Fox for attending the ceremony, and we wish all the participating teams success in the tournament, especially our national team. Preparations confirm that Abu Dhabi is ready to host this prestigious global event.
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Dubai Eye
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner dies while paragliding in Italy
Austrian extreme sports pioneer Felix Baumgartner, famed for a record-breaking 2012 skydive from the edge of space, died in a paragliding accident in central Italy, local police said. The 56-year-old lost control of his motorised paraglider while flying over Porto Sant'Elpidio in Italy's central Marche region and fell to the ground near the swimming pool of a hotel. The reasons for the accident were unclear. Porto Sant'Elpidio's mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, said reports suggested he may have suffered a sudden medical issue mid-air and offered the town's condolences for the death of "a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flights." The Austrian made headlines around the world in October 2012 when, wearing a specially made suit, he jumped from a balloon 24 miles (38 km) above Earth, becoming the first skydiver to break the sound barrier, typically measured at more than 690 mph. He made the historic jump over Roswell, New Mexico, reaching a peak speed of over 833 mph (1,343 kph), on the 65th anniversary of legendary American pilot Chuck Yeager's flight shattering the sound barrier on October 14, 1947. The self-styled "God of the Skies" started parachuting as a teenager before taking up the extreme sport of BASE jumping. His long career of daredevil jumps included skydiving across the English Channel and parachuting off the Petronas Towers in Malaysia. In Austria he was also known for courting controversy with views that included expressing support for dictatorship as a system of government. Baumgartner was fined 1,500 euros after he punched a Greek truck driver in the face during a 2010 altercation that broke out in a traffic jam near Salzburg.
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Campaign ME
Why authenticity beats virality as the new communications currency
For years, 'going viral' has been the holy grail of marketing and PR in the Middle East. Brands dream of that one moment when a post explodes, hashtags trend, and everyone's talking. But in 2025, in a market as sophisticated, diverse, and digitally savvy as the UAE, we must ask ourselves: are we chasing the right thing? Virality, as many of us have learned the hard way, is fleeting. It can earn a campaign a few headlines and a burst of engagement, but it rarely builds long-term affinity or brand equity. Worse, when overplayed, it can feel contrived, eroding the very trust we need to connect with our audiences. Authenticity, on the other hand, has become the real currency of modern communications. The UAE's audience has evolved In the UAE and wider GCC, audiences are more discerning than ever. Our consumers from Emirati Gen Z to Arab millennials to global expats are hyper-connected and hyper-aware of marketing tactics. They scroll past forced trends and spot tokenism in an instant. A flashy stunt might get them talking today but what gets them to stay tomorrow? Consistency. Credibility. A brand that lives its values, not just hashtags them. Campaigns that connected beyond virality Some of the region's most celebrated campaigns in recent years didn't just ride the latest trend – they tapped into real stories, real voices, and real values. Etihad Airways: Choose Well Celebrated personal choice and individuality, reflecting a shift in travel culture toward self-expression. Celebrated personal choice and individuality, reflecting a shift in travel culture toward self-expression. Expo 2020 Dubai: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future Told a story of collective progress and inclusion, positioning the UAE as a collaborative hub, not just a host. Told a story of collective progress and inclusion, positioning the UAE as a collaborative hub, not just a host. Nike Middle East: What Will They Say About You? Tackled gender stereotypes in sports, amplifying the authentic struggles and triumphs of Arab women athletes. Tackled gender stereotypes in sports, amplifying the authentic struggles and triumphs of Arab women athletes. IKEA Saudi Arabia: Real Life Series Recreated iconic TV living rooms in Riyadh stores – a subtle, authentic nod to pop culture that resonated deeply. Recreated iconic TV living rooms in Riyadh stores – a subtle, authentic nod to pop culture that resonated deeply. Noor Dubai Foundation: Giving Sight, Changing Lives Shared real stories of lives transformed by vision care, showing the human side of philanthropy. These campaigns worked because they were genuine, not gimmicky. Making authenticity work lasts longer than virality So how can communicators embed authenticity into their work? Be transparent: Own your story – the successes and the work-in-progress. Show progress over perfection. Elevate local voices: In a multicultural market, relevance comes from inclusivity. Empower Emirati and regional talent, and amplify stories that reflect your communities. Stay consistent: Don't make authenticity a campaign – make it a culture. It should inform every touchpoint, not just your next viral video. The true success of a campaign isn't measured by how loud it gets, but by how long it lasts. Authenticity might not win you a million likes overnight, but it will earn you something far more powerful: loyalty, advocacy, and respect. In a region renowned for setting global benchmarks in ambition and creativity, we must focus on crafting campaigns that truly matter – ones that resonate, endure, and leave a meaningful mark. After all, attention is fleeting, but trust is earned and owned. By Huda Ismail, Head of PR at NNC.
