Ons Jabeur faced the ‘toughest loss’ of her career, proving that even the mightiest can have their Achilles’ heel. The 2023 Wimbledon final emotionally wrecked her and shattered her ambition to become a mother. The 29-year-old tennis player did, however, recently show her support for Garbiñe Muguruza in starting a family, despite her personal problems.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, the Tunisian tennis player came forward to comfort the Spanish-Venezuelan former tennis player for her retirement plans to start a family. She said, “I completely understand her decision. And we’ve all seen Garbine at the end, when she was playing, she wasn’t feeling so happy on the court. So I definitely get that decision. And traveling a lot. It can be really tiring and being away from your family.”

The two-time Grand Slam champion announced her retirement a few months ago in order to concentrate on other goals in her life, such as getting married and raising a family. In light of this, Jabeur also emphasized the extra demands placed on female professional athletes, highlighting the difficulties of juggling personal and professional goals.

She added, “And especially for a woman, you need to plan your time to have a baby. And that’s a very difficult moment. I really wish her all the best.” Then Jabeur also joked about her invitation to Muguruza’s wedding getting lost in the mail!

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in action during her first round match against Coco Gauff of the U.S. Pool via REUTERS/Clive Brunskill“And, I heard she’s getting married very soon, though I still didn’t get my invite — but it’s OK (laughs),” Jabeur told The Athletic. Muguruza is engaged to longtime boyfriend Arthur Borges, originally a fan of Muguruza! The retired player has previously spoken about how she wants to start a family, hence the sudden retirement.

Jabeur was upset last year when she lost the Wimbledon final for the second time in a row last year. She acknowledged that it was the most agonizing loss of her career. In ‘This is Me,’ a documentary chronicling her journey, Jabeur made the devastating disclosure that she and her spouse had intended to become parents if she had succeeded in her career ambition of winning a Grand Slam.

Jabeur said, “It was the toughest loss of my career because emotionally it destroyed me, not only winning Wimbledon, but the idea of having a baby just vanished with the trophy of Wimbledon.” The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has stated her desire to have her children by her side as she pursues her tennis career, even as she aims to win a Grand Slam championship this year.

Ons Jabeur admits she’s “not ready to be a mum”

A few weeks ago, the 29-year-old tennis player expressed her resolve to continue working toward her goal of winning a Grand Slam title, while also acknowledging the difficulties she faces. She said, “I think it was meant to be. Maybe I’m not ready to be a mum yet. Hopefully I can get that title because I really, really want it. Obviously now coming from a couple of very difficult months, I will try to get there and hopefully one day I can be a mum and bring my kid to the tour.”

Like other tennis moms, she voiced her wish to take her kids on tour, even though she realized that now might not be the perfect moment for her to become a mother. The former Wimbledon finalist’s future will be interesting to watch, especially considering how recently she has struggled with injuries and her form, but fans are rooting for her nevertheless!