Tennis star Ons Jabeur has bravely opened up about her battle with depression, sparked by the relentless demands of the professional tennis schedule. In a heartfelt revelation, Jabeur, affectionately known as 'The Minister of Happiness,' shared that she had been silently suffering both physically and mentally for the past two years, a struggle that left her feeling like a shadow of her former self on the court. But here's where it gets controversial: Jabeur isn't just sharing her story—she's calling for a radical overhaul of the tennis calendar, particularly the grueling two-week Masters 1000 tournaments. Is this a necessary change, or is the tennis world asking too much of its athletes? Let’s dive in.
In July, the Tunisian star took to social media to announce an indefinite break from the sport, prioritizing her mental and physical well-being. This decision came after she retired from Wimbledon due to breathing difficulties, a moment that highlighted the toll the schedule was taking on her health. In her return to the tour, Jabeur didn’t hold back, telling Sky Sports, 'The schedule is killing everyone. I’m not the first one to stop playing. I feel like I saw [Beatriz] Haddad Maia stopping, [Elina] Svitolina as well. It’s tough.'
And this is the part most people miss: Jabeur isn’t just criticizing the length of tournaments; she’s pointing out the absurdity of back-to-back high-stakes events. 'For example, Doha, Dubai—two 1000 tournaments in a row? It’s too much,' she said. 'And I feel like they want to add more. Also, the two-week 1000 tournaments—I don’t know whose idea it was. It’s such a bad idea. None of the players like it.'
Jabeur’s struggle isn’t unique. British No. 1 Jack Draper has also spoken out about the need for calendar reform to prevent the wave of injuries plaguing the sport. 'Injuries are going to happen,' Draper said. 'We are pushing our bodies to do things they aren’t supposed to in elite sport. The tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity.'
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Are tennis authorities prioritizing profits over player health? With stars like Holger Rune, Emma Raducanu, and Naomi Osaka sidelined by injuries or mental health issues, it’s clear the current system isn’t sustainable. Even Taylor Fritz chimed in, agreeing that slower court conditions and heavier balls are making the weekly grind more physically demanding than ever.
Jabeur’s decision to prioritize herself is a powerful statement in a sport where players often feel pressured to compete through pain and exhaustion. 'I’m done letting the schedule dictate what I should do,' she declared. 'I really suffered a lot, mentally more than physically. But my body was screaming for help for a long time. I haven’t listened.'
As Jabeur focuses on her new foundation and academy, set to open in Dubai in November, she remains uncertain about her return to competitive tennis. 'I’m coming back when I feel like it, when I feel happy again,' she said. 'I think it is time to speak up and to change this. I feel like they see us as robots, but not as human beings anymore on the court.'
What do you think? Is the tennis calendar in desperate need of reform, or is this just the cost of competing at the highest level? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s keep this important conversation going.
